Heritage as threshold: an autoethnographic exploration of the porticoes of Bologna (Italy)

This study introduces the concept of 'heritage as threshold,' arguing that Bologna's UNESCO-listed porticoes represent a unique case where heritage transcends static boundaries, embodying dynamic transitions between official discourses and everyday experiences. The research employs autoethnography, with the author's embodied exploration of the porticoes revealing their spatiality as zones of interaction rather than fixed limits. This challenges traditional 'authorized heritage discourse,' which often relies on sedentary certainties. Additionally, the study links this spatial interpretation to the process of heritage-making, demonstrating how narratives evolve through the interweaving of perspectives—a process inherently tied to thresholds. The porticoes thus serve as a microcosm for broader debates on cultural heritage, highlighting its fluid and relational nature.

Bonfiglioli, S. (2024). Heritage as threshold: an autoethnographic exploration of the porticoes of Bologna (Italy). Cultural Geographies, 32(2), 225–243. https://doi.org/10.1177/14744740241269141