La fabbrica regia della cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta a Lucera nel contesto dell’architettura di derivazione francese in Italia Meridionale

The dissertation focuses on the reconstruction of the construction history (1302-1317ca.), transformations and restorations (1876-1900) of the Royal Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Lucera, located near Foggia in Apulia. The main aim was to examine the medieval building in the context of Angevin patronage in the Kingdom of Naples. The historical-architectural analysis of the church is set in the institutional and administrative mechanisms of the Curia Regia, responsible for the construction. Particular attention has been dedicated to the criticism of the authenticity of the building through the reconstruction and analysis of the restoration operations. It is certain that the architecture promoted by Charles II of Anjou (12891309) is the result of a fusion of transalpine models and local traditions. It is an architecture characterised by decorative and spatial simplification; the latter was generated by a number of factors including economic issues, the incidence of earthquakes in southern Italy, local traditions and formal choices. The similarities with the plan of the Cathedral of Naples (1298-1320ca.) make it clear that there was a desire to create a simplified replica in the small town in Puglia. The comparisons revealed interesting new elements regarding the circulation of workers within the Kingdom. Ultimately, in-depth analysis of the cultural context and contemporary buildings in Provence and the Kingdom of Naples places the Apulian building within the chapter of the great cathedrals built in the 14th century in the peninsula.