After years of being closed for restoration, Palazzo Cecchi is being brought back into use as a vibrant part of community life. This 16th-century building, damaged by the earthquakes of 2016 and 2017, is regaining its architectural integrity, functionality and a new purpose for the future.
The project goes beyond repairing earthquake damage. The local community called for a safe, sustainable and revitalised building capable of accommodating cultural activities, workspaces and hospitality facilities.
The restoration combines conservation with innovation, incorporating compatible interventions on the vaulted ceilings and decorated surfaces, seismic strengthening and energy efficiency improvements. Particular care has been taken to preserve the building's defining historic features, including its 16th-century stone portal, historic courtyard and evidence of its agricultural past.
Materials and Memory
The brick and traditional reed-and-plaster vaults, frescoes and original craftsmanship are being carefully restored, revealing the building's historic character. The project addresses deteriorated surfaces, reorganises circulation routes and re-establishes connections between the principal floors and the basement, which is being transformed into a museum space dedicated to the building's agricultural and productive heritage.
New Opportunities for the Community
Palazzo Cecchi is being transformed into a multifunctional cultural hub, accommodating museum spaces, coworking facilities, a library and cultural events. The project also includes accommodation facilities integrated into the historic town centre, helping to support the local economy while enhancing the cultural and architectural value of Loro Piceno.
A vulnerable historic building is being made safe and accessible once again, creating a space the community can reclaim as a centre for culture, employment and hospitality. For Loro Piceno, bringing Palazzo Cecchi back to life represents the fulfilment of a commitment to preserving the past while creating new opportunities for the future.