Vol. 33 No. 1 Special Issue, vol. I (2025): Oltre il Novecento. Teoria e prassi per il "Restauro del Moderno"
La patrimonializzazione / Heritagization

Il Parco Faunistico di Napoli. Modernità e sfide per il terzo millennio / The Parco Faunistico di Napoli. Modernity and challenges for the third millennium

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  • Gianluigi de Martino
Gianluigi de Martino
Dipartimento di Architettura, Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II"
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/rar-19102

Published 2025-12-12

Keywords

  • Zoological garden,
  • Heritage,
  • Conservation,
  • Exhibit,
  • Multispecies coexistence

How to Cite

de Martino, G. (2025). Il Parco Faunistico di Napoli. Modernità e sfide per il terzo millennio / The Parco Faunistico di Napoli. Modernity and challenges for the third millennium. Restauro Archeologico, 33(1 Special Issue, vol. I), 228–233. https://doi.org/10.36253/rar-19102

Copyright (c) 2025 Gianluigi de Martino

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

This paper examines the historical, architectural, and conceptual evolution of the zoological gardens, from its origins as a space of spectacle and domination over nature to its contemporary redefinition considering ethical and scientific advancements. Rooted in ancient traditions of enclosed gardens, early menageries served as displays of power, where exotic animals were exhibited for elite audiences. Contemporary zoos now face a dual challenge: preserving their historical architectural heritage while responding to evolving ethical imperatives regarding animal welfare. This tension is exemplified in the case study of the Naples Parco Faunistico, where rationalist architectural principles coexist with outdated enclosures. A proposed integrated methodology, combining archival research, architectural analysis, and conservation strategies, aims to reimagine the zoo as a dynamic, ethically responsible cultural institution.

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