The design study started with a careful historical and archaeological analysis which dictated the guidelines pursued.
The historical-visual study has made it possible to hypothesize that the building in question is coeval with the fortification built by Louis IX, king of France, who went to the Holy Land during the Crusades of the thirteenth century and represent an example of Gotgic-European military architecture.
An in-depth scientific approach and the philological reconstruction of the building have made it possible to characterize the types of materials and the construction techniques used, typical of that era, and have made it possible to establish an intervention path aimed to safeguard the pre-existing structures without undermining the integrity of the historical memory.
The presence on the north side of the building of the ending parts of two pointed arches, led to placing the original prominent floor at an altitude of two meters lower than how it is today. These architectural elements can be found in contemporary artefacts, for example at the entrance of the Citadel, therefore it is possible to deduce that they constituted the entrance of the building.
In the light of this consideration, during the design stage an excavation was planned, such as to return to the original height to have the possibility to reconstruct the two authentic entrances.
The existing walls will be consolidated and completed using the same construction technique and materials having the same typological and morphological characteristics.
The project foresees an excavation of two meters from the current level, bringing the church back to its original level. In this way the two pre-existing pointed arch entrances will be restored on the north side, while a further entrance will be placed to the west.
This side is currently devoid of any wall covering and it will be closed by a metal structure decorated by the symbol of the enhanced cross which evokes the spirituality of the places.
