Strategies for the Conservation and Valorization of 20th-Century War Landscapes: The Case of the Mediterranean Wall Ruins

Giancarlo Sanna

Investigation

;Andres Martínez-Medina

Member of the Collaboration Group

;Andrea Pirinu

Supervision

2025-01-01

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Abstract

The so-called Mediterranean Wall—a term referring to the system of coastal defenses built between 1936 and 1945 across various Mediterranean countries—exhibits distinct characteristics when compared to the Atlantikwall. Unlike the latter’s continuous and technologically unified design, Mediterranean defenses were fragmented, heterogeneous, and closely adapted to local territorial and environmental conditions. This article analyses the morphology and geographic distribution of these military landscapes in Spain and Italy, approaching them as architectural and landscape heritage with specific material and perceptual features. A two-phase methodology is adopted: the first involves the identification and documentation of existing reuse interventions, supported by fieldwork and archival research; the second presents a comparative evaluation of four selected case studies based on criteria such as restoration practices, accessibility, and landscape integration. The comparative analysis highlights a wide spectrum of adaptive reuse strategies and underscores the multidimensional challenges of valorisation. Rather than treating these structures as static wartime remnants, the article advocates for their reintegration into broader cultural, ecological, and touristic networks. Through a holistic approach combining architectural reuse, inclusive accessibility, and civic participation, the Mediterranean fortifications may be transformed into dynamic sites for memory, interpretation, and environmental awareness—reframing their legacy within contemporary territorial narratives.