Revitalising Fontecchio: a community-led approach to heritage conservation and cultural regeneration

This paper examines the post-earthquake recovery and cultural regeneration of Fontecchio, a medieval village in L’Aquila, Italy, through a community-led approach to heritage conservation. Fontecchio was the first Italian municipality to adopt the principles of the Faro Convention, emphasizing democratic participation and the recognition of cultural heritage as a living resource. Drawing on direct site engagement, participatory workshops, and documentary analysis, this study investigates how local communities contribute to the preservation of tangible and intangible heritage, including traditions such as the Festa della Perdonanza. Findings demonstrate that community involvement not only facilitates the physical reconstruction of the village but also reinforces social cohesion, cultural identity, and sustainable territorial development. This case illustrates the potential of participatory heritage strategies to generate both practical and theoretical insights for heritage-led recovery in rural and post-disaster contexts.