Heritage at risk: investigation and vulnerabilities management for the safeguarding of an old fortified town

The old town of Bar (Montenegro) was a Byzantine settlement rebuilt on the remains of a more ancient town destroyed in the 3rd century during the Roman invasion of Dalmatia, led between 1443 and 1571 from Venice and then by the Turks until 1870. Both rulers have left their mark, today partially legible in the urban fabric and in the buildings’ design. Unfortunately, it was severely damaged during the War of Independence from the Ottoman Empire (1870-79), by the bombing of 1878 and following the explosion of powder magazines within the walls (1882 and 1912). This caused the final abandonment of the city, whose remains were also brutally injured by the 1979 Montenegro earthquake. A first research campaign was initiated in the 50's but the main impetus for recovery activities occurred after the seism. Up to now, specific restoration projects have been carried out. Thus, they have mainly been targeted for the entire reconstruction of collapsed buildings and their reuse for cultural activities. On the other hand, the study that the authors of this paper are conducting on the site intends to identify site’s vulnerabilities with the aim of establish some guidelines for its conservation and promotion.