Sacrum et Munitum: architecture between faith and defense. The case of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Agrò

The architectural structures that dot the north-eastern tip of Sicily represent the results of a process of cultural and expressive fusion between the numerous peoples and multiple dominations that have passed through this geographical area. This constant hybridisation over the centuries has defined a unique architectural style, which is particularly evident in a type of “dual” architecture that we find repeatedly in this geographical area, a type of architecture that fulfils both religious and defensive needs. This is the case of the Abbey of SS. Pietro e Paolo d'Agrò, originally conceived in the Byzantine period as a place of worship, built in its current form during Norman rule in the 12th century, and finally remodelled to meet the defensive needs of the valley. This architecture, in relation to its strategic position in a peri-coastal area, is part of a wider system of defence and control of the territory, testifying to the ability of religious architecture to adapt to military and defensive roles. Finally, the work aims to develop a critical reflection on the contemporary value of this dual heritage, putting forward hypotheses for its enhancement that combine the historical and functional complexity of these places with the usability of cultural heritage. The aim is to propose new models of use and narration, capable of restoring the site's multiple identities and integrating it into a network of cultural and tourist itineraries linked to the fortified architecture of Sicily.