The recognition of intellectual spaces as a cultural heritage: a territorial perspective

Abstract

This contribution illustrates, together with the most up-to-dare literature, the concept of cultural heritage and how geography contributed to such epistemological definition of the idea. This vision is the starting point of the research presented here. It deals with the places chosen by intellectuals in the modern age as centres of cultural activities: the academies and literary cafés. They have been forgotten, but represent significant spaces in both the big and small cities and towns of Europe and in particular in Italy. A recognition of them as cultural heritage provides us a better understanding of European identity and allows us to include the academies and literary cafés in tourist routes.

Keywords

• cultural heritage
• intellectual places
• geography
• urban spaces
• cultural history