Little gems carved in the city: the new life of the abandoned sacred spaces

Sacred spaces are specific features of the presence of any civilizations and they are located in all communities. In Christian countries, churches are usually of antique foundation and located in central areas, often being the core of the city center itself. Given their position and their own history, they have subsequently undergone transformation processes, but their key role as landmark has remained enduring, hence adapting to the dynamics of the city. However, due to social phenomena, such as the decrease of faithful, churches have gradually been discarded, leaving behind outstanding heritage. The research aim to investigate the permanence of these places that, even if abandoned, despite temporal stratifications and changes in the urban environment, preserved the memory of the city. On the contrary, the modification itself constitutes new peculiar features of the location, which builds in a new authenticity. The same context stratifications give rise to new peculiar features, thus creating a new authenticity of which the abandoned church is carrier for its uniqueness. The focal aim is to reuse these complexes, by maintaining their authenticity. This may be achieved with an enhancement and requalification project, respecting the history of the churches, understanding their relationship with the context and perceiving their own true essence in order to set up new relationships, making them vital again. The case study focuses on the ex Santa Caterina church in Casale Monferrato (Italy), discarded for over 50 years. It was founded in the 18th century and it is located in the historical city center. Although the environments have been modified, the church has adapted well and has managed to establish new relationships with the public space. The principle aim is to reuse this space by conferring a new function to it and by attracting a new type of users, respecting its authenticity and the value of the building.