The Farmhouses of the Cuma Archaeological Park in Pozzuoli (Naples, Italy): Between Conservation and New Enhancement Strategies

The dual identity of archaeological and rural landscapes in the Phlegraean area is particularly evident in the Cuma Archaeological Park in Pozzuoli. The farmhouses located in the Cuma site, built upon the archaeological remains of the area, are a significant expression of the rich historical and cultural palimpsest that characterizes the Phlegraean territory. There are a total of six farmhouses within the Park, distributed between the acropolis and the lower city, where ongoing archaeological excavations continue to uncover the remains of one of the oldest Greek-founded cities in the West. These structures represent a less investigated example of rural architecture in the Phlegraean territory, a region long defined by its strong agricultural vocation. Despite the various modifications and alterations these architectural features have undergone over time, their historical and typological characteristics, proper of the vernacular architecture of the Phlegraean Fields, remain recognizable. This contribution aims to define interventions that preserve the agricultural identity of the Cuma territory, for which the farmhouses are evidence, while simultaneously outlining new visions for their utilization. Through historical analysis and a critical review of their current state, the study deepens the constructive and formal characteristics of this rural architectural typology. Based on these insights, the work plans to propose new strategies for the conservation and reuse of the Cuma farmhouses. In line with the current functional needs of the area, the farms could be designed as environments to support the archaeological excavation activity still underway (with related material storage), but also as new points of interest within the visit route of the park, integrating them in an itinerary that enhances the dialogue between rural, archaeological and landscape heritage.