Restoring the restoration: The Palaestra of the West Gymnasium of Kos

Abstract

The contribution derives from a recent investigation held at the DICAR Department of the Polytechnic of Bari, under the scientific supervision of professor Giorgio Rocco, regarding the Palaestra and the Western Gymnasium of Kos. According to the research, the above mentioned Palaestra, one of the largest in the ancient world, is to be dated to the II century B.C. It was partially dug out in 1936 by L. Morricone during the Italian dominance over the Southern Sporades (1912-1948). At that time many restoration works were undertaken in the Italian Dodecanese and also the Palaestra was subjected to an anastylosis which had partially rised its oriental porch. The new search relies on new detailed drawings, complemented with a catalogue of architectural fragments and the analysis of the structures finalized to the reconstructive study. Afterwards the analysis has focused on the critical status of the same Italian restoration, carried on with integration of concrete cement, elaborating a derestoration project and a proposal for an anastylosis of a further section of the porch with the aim to enhancing the archaeological area. Starting from the results of this research, the purpose of our paper is to provide for a contribution to the controversial and highly-discussed topic of the architectural restoration in archaeological sites with a specific focus on the following points of interest: The Italian restoration in Dodecanese: a synthesis (Antonello Fino); The Italian restoration of the Palaestra of the West Gymnasium of Kos: an unfinished yard? (Rossella Martino); Restoring the restoration. A new project for de-restoration and preservation (Daniele Mallardi); A proposal for the accomplishment of the anastylosis and guide lines for the enhancement of the archaeological site (Claudia Lamanna).