The ancient defense system of Amantea (Italy). An emblematic case of juridical negligence in the field of cultural heritage

This work aims to denounce the slow but inexorable loss of an important good belonging to the cultural and historical heritage that is the ancient defense system of the town of Amantea, in province of Cosenza, constituted from the remains of the castle and town walls, as well as from the coastal towers. Its gradual loss, caused by the careless attitude and abandonment, is strictly connected with the behaviors linked to his property. This makes it an emblematic case of juridical negligence which highlights a series of issues related to the world of cultural heritage. In order to analyze the case study from different points of view through an interdisciplinary approach, a cognitive process has been developed through which initially the ancient defense system of Amantea has been contextualized from a territorial, historical and architectural point of view. Subsequently, the issues related to the protection and conservation of the architectural system have been examined, comparing these to the situations linked to the ownership of the goods that constitute the same system. This allowed us to prove as the "Code of Cultural Heritage and Landscape" is not respected in our case study, and of this does not seems to care no-one Authority of Protection. This strange situation goes to the detriment of the cultural site which loses consistency slowly but progressively.