Yesterday the Director of the archaeological parks of Crotone and Sibari, Filippo Demmaand the representatives of the municipal administration of Isola di Capo Rizzuto, the mayor Maria Grazia Vittimbergathe deputy mayor Andrea Liò and the councilor with responsibility for Culture Antonella Pagliuso, held an operational meeting to continue defining the future of the Le Castella fortress. A meeting that became necessary because, with the issuing in recent months of the Decree of the President of the Council of Ministers number 167, the Ministry of Culture – led by Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano – in creating the autonomous institute of the archaeological parks of Crotone and Sibari, also included jurisdiction over the fortress which falls within the Municipality of Isola di Capo Rizzuto.
The site, however, is already subject to collaborative management between the Calabria Regional Museums Directorate – always led by the same Director Demma – and the Municipality of Isola di Capo Rizzuto led by the mayor Vittimberga. A fruitful agreement, the one signed last year by the representatives of the two bodies, which led the Aragonese Castle to be operational and open full time which Demma and Vittimberga intend to redefine and propose again in light of the administrative and bureaucratic innovations which in the meantime have occurred. During the meeting, director Demma explained, first of all, that the new institute of the Ministry of Culture is starting to take its first steps and took advantage of the inspection to communicate that, with the establishment of the new single park, set aside, between ministerial funds and Pnrr funds, over one million euros to be allocated to the redevelopment of the monument. Therefore, a series of recovery and promotion works on the structure will begin immediately while the new version of the valorization agreement between the archaeological parks of Crotone and Sibari and the Municipality of Isola di Capo Rizzuto is already being studied to maximize participation of the Isola municipal administration in the management of the Aragonese Castle. «We are also carrying forward here – declared Director Demma – a virtuous example of institutional collaboration. The substantial work of finding resources that has been underway for a year, as is in the style of management already implemented for the Sibari archaeological park, will also and above all represent an opportunity for the local community. The managerial, scientific and financial autonomy, a characteristic that has proven to bring notable benefits in other cultural institutes in Italy, represents a unique opportunity for cultural and socio-economic valorization for Isola di Capo Rizzuto and Crotone”.
«I am very satisfied with the outcome of the meeting that was held yesterday in Le Castella with director Demma – commented the mayor Vittimberga – a change of pace that I have no hesitation in defining as historic, which gave me the clear perception that all interlocutors were aware of dealing with an important topic such as the management of a monument of inestimable historical and cultural value. I want to express my satisfaction with Dr. Demma's availability in proposing urgent structural interventions, to be carried out in the short term. Above all, I am happy that the administration's point of view was accepted and the direction of an agreement prevailed that takes it into account, involving the community. I hope that the Fortress, symbol of Calabria in the world, can become a cultural and social point of reference for the community. A destination for schools, to spark curiosity in children about history, a passion for art and traditions and the destination of many visitors, competing with other regional attractors to be a tool for territorial promotion, generating culture and beauty”.