Da struttura fortificata a centro per la comunità: il caso del castello di Hylton a Sunderland (UK)

Hylton Castle was commissioned by Sir William Hylton as a fortified residence from the 14th century. Major alterations were made to the complex in the 18th century, and it remained the family's principal seat until 1746. Over the following centuries, the castle underwent changes in ownership, resulting in changes of use. The site was taken over by the state in 1950 and is now owned by English Heritage. The currently surviving structures (the west watchtower and St Catherine's Chapel) are subject to national protection orders (Grade I Listed Building and Scheduled Monument). Between 2017 and 2020, the castle underwent a major restoration and re-functionalisation campaign promoted by a partnership of organisations (Sunderland City Council, The Friends of Hylton Castle and Dene, National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Garfield and Wolfson Foundations, English Heritage, and Historic England). The intervention included the insertion of new floors and vertical connections as well as improved accessibility, with the creation of flexible spaces for community and educational use. Alongside the physical intervention, the management entrusted by the Hylton Castle Trust has involved the community by providing volunteering opportunities, activities and events for the population and visitors, educational visits for schools and training for young people, with an emphasis on the collective memories of the place as a means of strengthening the bond with the asset. The contribution aims to illustrate the results of the actions carried out on the castle, questioning the degree of compatibility with the historical architectural heritage of an intervention oriented towards community use. It also highlights the characteristics that emerge from a project involving public and non-profit organisations in the conservation, regeneration, and management of an asset with a strong social value.