Restoration of the City Walls of Monopoli in Puglia (Italy)—The 16th Century House within the Walls: From the Discovery of the Gunboat to the Recovery of the Basement

This article presents part of the results of the restoration of a house within the walls of the ancient city of Monopoli in Puglia, Italy. The aim is to propose a methodological approach for the conservation of minor assets of ancient centers that are aimed at recognizing, on the one hand, the historical and cultural value of the asset and, on the other, the seismic vulnerability of the artefacts, which is a key topical problem for the conservation of historic cities. A brief introduction on the context of belonging, which is characterized by similar cases, precedes the following preliminary investigations: a historiographical investigation on the urban landscape; then, a critical inquiry and related essays. Preliminary investigations have rendered it possible to highlight: on the one hand, the phases in respect of the transformation of the building in question (i.e., 3rd century BC–19th century AD); and on the other hand, to identify a 15th century gunboat and an underground room that is characterized by ancient walls. The data, acquired in the cognitive phase and confirmed by the essays, determined the project. In other words “knowledge for the restoration of artefacts” was achieved. The project is aimed at reversibility, recognition and compatibility. Furthermore, it provides for the recovery and enhancement of the underground environment with horizontal structures and connections between the two levels that will possess reversibility criteria through the use of dry technologies. The restoration site started with the excavation of the base, which was a very complex process from an operational point of view. Moreover, on the one hand, such a process highlighted the hidden structures of the ancient city. On the other hand, it has highlighted an important criticality in relation to the foundation system, which is closely linked to the process evolution of the manufactured article. The restoration site of the external walls, carried out with sustainable techniques and materials, has brought to light this ancient fifteenth-century gunboat.