Marginality hidden by places of excellence: some choices that can boost the rebirth of an area. - La marginalità nascosta dai luoghi di eccellenza: quali scelte possono spronare la rinascita di un territorio.

Social and economic dynamics are determining factors in the prosperity or depopulation of an area. Even territories that are highly frequented by tourists or recognised as places of excellence may be at risk of depopulation and fall into areas of marginality. A territory is a cultural asset, as it has been shaped by centuries of human activity. A place loses its soul if it is no longer cultivated and experienced by the people who inhabit it. This contribution describes three cases that illustrate the dramatic nature of land abandonment, but which also demonstrate the potential to counteract this trend. The first example is the municipality of Pescocostanzo in the province of L'Aquila. Listed among the most beautiful villages in Italy, it is inhabited by a population that is determined to protect its territory from progressive abandonment by launching projects to combat it. The second example is the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its landscapes of incomparable beauty. However, it has been subject to depopulation for decades, which could also threaten its Ladin cultural identity. A third example is the village of Colletta di Castelbianco in the province of Savona. This case study will explore the successful recovery of the village, despite some critical issues. The possible development strategies that could restore vitality to marginal territories or arrest their decline will then be analysed, whether already planned or potentially assessable