**3. Application**

## *3.1. The Case Study and Presentation of the Alternatives*

This research relates to the reuse of defensive historical and cultural heritage located in Southern Italy. In particular, the study concerns the "Forti Umbertini" System located along the shores of the "Stretto di Messina" (Figure 2) of which it is possible to see some representative images in Figure 3.

**Figure 2.** Location of the "Stretto di Messina" in South Italy.

**Figure 3.** The "Forti Umbertini" System (source: authors' processing).

The system of the forts was built after the Italian Unification in 1860, as part of a system of military fortifications that controlled the entire eastern hill line of the Strait. It includes twenty-two fortified historic buildings, now entered into the common imagination with the term "Forti Umbertini." They were sentinels defending the waterway with the aim of not interrupting the continuity of defense

of the new national territory. Built by the new unified Italian State in order to defend the Strait of Messina from external enemies. They form a unique system in the world consisting of twenty fortified positions placed on the two shores of Sicily and Calabria. Since the king of the time was Umberto I, they are also known as "Forti Umbertini." These camouflaged architectures ensured the defense of the territory until World War Two.

The fortified structures, which survived the 1908 earthquake and the two World Wars unscathed, since the military administration handed over deliveries to the State Property Agency, have been, for military servitude, kept away for many years from the attention of citizens and have suffered the scarce attention of local administrations that have never grasped their great tourist and economic potential.

Starting from the analysis of the network of Forts located in the area [86] we have identified six alternative buildings not yet used and enhanced, thus allowing the introduction of new functions and destinations. The Figure 3 shows the map with the alternatives considered in the evaluation process.
