Rediscovering tradition through representation: the vaulted house of the Amalfi Coast

Abstract

[EN] The Amalfi Coast represents one of the most fascinating examples of Mediterranean landscape with a unique cultural and natural setting, resulting from its dramatic topography and the evolution of its community. The universal value of the coast, the evolutionary process of human adaptation to its production and exchange spaces, as well as its residential settlements, is very important to preserve. In this regard, the research is focused on the interpretation of these places, and in particular on the typical medieval houses to find the main features through the representation of ancient and new designers. The observation through the drawing allows rediscovering the essential elements that distinguish and at the same time link the buildings with the Mediterranean tradition. The geographical and economic characteristics that particularized the Amalfi Coast in medieval times and the absence of terrestrial connections inevitably led to isolation towards the hinterland and an opening by sea. The owners of these artifacts were mainly merchants and, coming into contact with different cultures, brought to their territories a miscellany of traditions. Similar, these houses are made of local stone and are characterized by their vaulted roof extrados that, depending on the type, leads back to a specific historical phase. The study and analysis of the drawings over time, therefore, aims to discover the main characteristic and rediscover the historical, aesthetic, and artistic value of the vernacular architecture of Campania. These buildings have always been a source of inspiration for great artists and architects who, following the Grand Tour along the coast, have characterized their works, and therefore represent an important heritage to be known, protected, and enhanced to safeguard harmony and splendor of the Amalfi Coast.