Decommissioned Places of Worship: A project in Salerno

Abstract

Decommissioned ecclesiastical heritage represents a growing challenge for historic European cities, where the abandonment and disuse of churches reflect profound cultural and demographic shifts. These buildings, once centres of community life and guardians of historical, artistic, and identity significance, now risk decay, potentially undermining the surrounding urban fabric. Repurposing disused churches offers significant opportunities for urban regeneration, with interventions aimed at integrating new functions compatible with the original identity of these sacred spaces. This study exemplifies an integrated reuse strategy designed to create a network of ecological and accessible public spaces, connecting decommissioned churches and enhancing their historical role within the city of Salerno in southern Italy.