The Evolution of Restoration Ideologies: The Emergence, Disappearance, and Revival of the Palatine Gate as an Urban Axis Node

Abstract

This paper focuses on the Porta Palatina in Turin, Italy, analyzing its emergence, disappearance, and revival as a node of the urban axis. Using this as a central thread, it explores the evolution of restoration ideologies in Italy. Constructed in the 1st century BCE, Porta Palatina served as a crucial gateway to the ancient Roman city of Turin, marking the starting point of Caesar’s Gallic Wars and the spread of Roman civilization. Over the course of Turin’s urban transformation, the role of Porta Palatina as a city axis shifted through three distinct phases: from being a military and political center in Roman times, to being abandoned during the Baroque period, and finally, to its revival and rediscovery in modern times.
This study delves into the restoration journey of Porta Palatina, spanning from stylistic restoration in the mid-19th century to scientific restoration in the 20th century, and culminating in archaeological park design in the 21st century. It illustrates the transition of Italian restoration ideologies from Romanticism to modern scientific conservation. By examining restoration practices across different eras, this paper uncovers the interactions between restoration theory and culture, history, and technology. It emphasizes that restoration is not only an advancement in architectural techniques but also a respect for and preservation of historical culture. The restoration trajectory of Porta Palatina not only reflects changes in Turin’s urban structure but also provides critical theoretical and practical references for global cultural heritage preservation.