The Alfano Ironworks in the Cilento National Park (Italy): An example of Vernacular Architecture

Designed to be sustainable, vernacular architecture as defined by the ICOMOS Built Vernacular Heritage Charter represents «the natural and traditional way in which communities have produced their own habitat. It forms part of a process that includes necessary changes and continuous adaptation as a response to social needs». This integrated approach, combining local resources, adaptation to the natural context and cultural continuity, constitutes a model of sustainability respecting the Genius loci. Recognizing that the outcome of this type of architecture is distinguished by its adaptability to both the territory and practical needs, this paper analyses a case study located in a relatively unexplored area of southern Italy, specifically in the Cilento National Park: the Alfano ironworks. Immersed in a varied natural environment and marked by the presence of the Faraone river, the ironworks are part of a larger network of hydraulic mills that have developed along the watercourse since the 15th century. The complex consists of two mills and the ironworks, all powered by a single millrace (the Gora), demonstrating the balance between the use of natural resources and local economic development, representing a concrete example of integration between functionality, efficiency, and respect for the territory. This paper aims to analyse, through bibliographic and archival sources, the environmental sustainability mechanisms of 'water-related architectures,' specifically the Alfano ironworks. The goal is to demonstrate that the conservation and restoration of these historical structures can safeguard them for future generations and underscore their exemplary role as models of sustainable architecture.