“New insertions on the old”: Brandi and the protection of historic centers as a moral instance

Abstract

This essay examines Cesare Brandi’s contribution to the Italian debate of the 1950s on the relationship between modern architecture and historic cities, also interpreting it in the light of the theoretical principles later developed in the Theory of Restoration (1963). The analysis considers a series of texts and public interventions—from the lecture “Il vecchio e il nuovo nelle antiche città italiane” (1956) to the article “Il nuovo sul vecchio” (1964)—in which Brandi firmly rejects any contemporary insertions into ancient urban contexts, grounding his position on aesthetic, historical, and ethical reasons. From this perspective, the safeguarding of historic centers is not only a technical or regulatory operation, but also a moral imperative and a civic duty.The theoretical reflection is then explored in depth in the specific case of Siena, the critic’s hometown, where Brandi intervened on several occasions to denounce the risks posed by redevelopment projects and incongruous insertions. The comparison with other contemporary positions—particularly those of Argan, Cederna, Michelucci, Pane, Piccinato, Quaroni, and Zevi—makes it possible to situate Brandi’s thought within a broader perspective, highlighting its ethical distinctiveness. The contribution thus emphasizes how, for Brandi, the safeguarding of historic centers is not merely a technical task, but above all a civil duty: a collective responsibility that entails protecting the urban landscape as a unique and unrepeatable heritage, a bearer of civilization. This perspective, even today, provides useful critical tools for reflecting on the relationship between conservation and transformation in historic cities.