Medieval Home Restoration
Bringing a 14th Century Home Back to Life
When my wife and I first saw the house on Via del Barozzo, it was love at first sight—despite the fact that it was practically falling down. Built in 1347, this medieval gem had been abandoned for nearly thirty years.
The restoration has been a journey of discovery. Behind layers of modern paint, we found original frescoes. Under damaged floorboards, we discovered beautiful terracotta tiles. Each room revealed new treasures and new challenges.
Working with local craftsmen has been essential. Master mason Antonio taught me traditional lime mortar techniques that have been used in Urbino for centuries. Maria, a local artisan, helped restore the original window frames using methods passed down through her family.
The most challenging part was the roof. Medieval roofs weren't designed for modern weather patterns, and we had to find a balance between historical accuracy and practical waterproofing. We ended up using traditional terracotta tiles with a modern membrane system hidden beneath.
Two years later, our home is a living piece of Urbino's history. We host workshops on traditional building techniques and welcome architecture students from the university. The house has become not just our home, but a teaching tool for preserving our city's architectural heritage.
Community Comments
Paolo Ferretti
2024-03-12I remember buying bread from Nonna Elena as a child. The smell of her bakery could be detected three streets away! Thank you for keeping this tradition alive.
Sarah Miller
2024-03-11As a tourist, visiting Maria's bakery was the highlight of my trip to Urbino. The focaccia is absolutely incredible, and Maria's stories about her family made it so special.
Lucia Santini
2024-03-10My grandmother used to tell me stories about helping Elena during the war. It's beautiful to see how this family has preserved not just recipes, but the spirit of community.