The monumental unit of Massenzio: environmental requalification project and development of the archaeological emergencies

The monumental unit of Massenzio The unit of Massenzio, one of the most evocative archaeological areas of the Roman countryside, lies between the second and third mile of the Via Appia Antica. It consists of three main buildings: the Palace, the Circus and a Mausoleum. They were designed into a single architectural unit that was conceived to celebrate the Emperor Maxentius; the unfortunate opponent of Constantine the Great in the battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 AD. The complexity of the space of this area is tied to the close relationship between the historical artifacts found and their relationship with the road, nature and the surrounding landscape. In terms of space, these close relationships create completely spontaneous micro-landscapes and micro-gardens within them. They naturally gather data and useful information to fully understand the system. Today, the debate is based on the need to take protective measures for the monuments of the Via Appia Antica. From a first partial analysis, the monumental unit of Massenzio showed different issues; problems tied to a correct understanding of the historical plant, problems tied to the management of the area and to the state of degradation of the ancient structures, but also problems such as the lack of incentives and services to entice visitors. In this situation, the study reported here raises a number of points to create a very articulated program subdivided into different phases to implement the requalification of the monumental unit. The objective of this work is to define a method to make sure the following projects and interventions are consistent and in line with each other and with the purposes established to develop the area in a proper manner.