Transformation and Protection of the Religious Built Heritage Space. Reasons and Methods of the Liturgical Adaptation of Cremona’s Cathedral (Italy)

The conservation of the religious building heritage, expression and testimony of faith of the past, is one of the aspects that characterize the process of liturgical reform undertaken by the Second Vatican Council, the foundations of which were laid by the constitution Sacrosantum concilium on the sacred liturgy. A path of renewal which, in full awareness of the inseparable link between cultural, spiritual, historical and artistic values, aims to dialogue with the necessary requests for the protection of ancient religious buildings, especially when they are "monuments" or "art works “ (this is the case, for example, of the Cathedrals) to conserve and preserve them as living places in contemporary society, avoiding their museumification. The conservation of an ancient religious building aimed at making it a suitable place for the liturgy is a process of careful modification which interprets the constitutive link between the religious building and the liturgy and which requires the involvement of many professionals as well as the unanimous participation of those involved in its protection (Dioceses, superintendencies, communities). The text intends to materialize as a contribution to this issue which will also be developed through the presentation of a design research conducted by the authors for the liturgical adaptation of the cathedral of Cremona in the context of a recent design competition promoted by the Italian Episcopal Conference. The liturgical adaptation project, aimed at reordering the symbolic and formative space of the liturgy and organizing it hierarchically through the placement of new liturgical poles and their relationship with the ancient building, is an opportunity to strengthen the symbolic and reference value that the cathedrals take on in the contemporary society.