Valori in transizione. Riflessioni sulla conservazione della scalinata di Santa Maria del Monte a Caltagirone (CT)

The Venice Charter highlighted the human and social value of monuments and stressed the importance of preserving them in the full richness of their authenticity. Restoration work was seen as the primary means of achieving this, fo- cusing on the material aspects of heritage. This study examines the staircase of Santa Maria del Monte in Caltagirone, which underwent a controversial restoration that did not maintain the material authenticity of the structure, just ten years before the issuance of the Charter. The discussion raises questions about the changing understanding of values, given the increasing number of actors involved in heritage preservation and related actions. It concludes that conser- vation should be viewed as an ongoing and conscious process, rather than a one-time intervention. The complex her- itage of the staircase holds significant social and performative value, which is now more significant than its historical and architectural value. This calls for a new approach to managing and preserving heritage.