Italy boasts a wealth of fortifications that rivals its heritage of religious buildings: castles, towers, city walls, and fortified farmsteads are just a few examples of a centuries-old history of defending the Italian people. The conference organized by the Campania Section of the Italian Institute of Castles aims to highlight the myriad of historic settlements—including those within larger cities—that dot the peninsula and still retain defensive architectural features; though no longer serving their original purpose, these structures continue to exude scenic charm and stand as invaluable records of our territory’s history.

The fortified villages that form the historical backbone of Italy’s settlement patterns deserve to be recognized anew and revitalized—first and foremost by local communities—so that a collective awareness can drive local development. The European University Centre for Cultural Heritage in Ravello and the Campania Tourism Agency are partnering with the Italian Institute of Castles to promote this cultural heritage, which holds immense potential. The proposed conference aims to bring together historical research, projects, and tourism promotion initiatives concerning Italian fortified villages, with the goal of sharing visions and best practices.

The contributions from the participating scholars have been collected and published with the aim of sharing research and critical reflections. The volume was distributed to participants at the opening of the conference on May 15 and is available for download via the link provided below.