The construction season continues at the Capo Colonna archaeological park, where a new redevelopment project promoted by the Crotone and Sibari archaeological parks has just begun. The initiative is part of the broader valorization process which, in recent months, is redesigning the face of the archaeological area and the museum.
The first concerned the overall renovation and reorganization of the Museum, the work of which will be completed at the end of October. The second, started on 29 September, is dedicated to excavations and archaeological research conducted by the Archaeological Park of Crotone and Sibari in collaboration with the Southern High School and is concentrated in the south-western area of the sanctuary and in Building B, the archaic temple located north of the large temple of Hera Lacinia.
We continue with the intervention of the past year, which brought to light a small enclosure with an altar and we carry out some in-depth studies at one of the oldest buildings of the sanctuary, with the aim of reconstructing its building and cult history, delving into the construction phases, the rituals that took place there and the relationship with the Via Sacra that runs along its northern side.
A further step forward in the knowledge of the most iconic sanctuary of ancient Calabria, heart of the cult of Hera Lacinia and point of reference for archaeological research in the Mediterranean.
The third construction site, delivered on 15 October, concerns interventions planned with funding pursuant to law 232/2016, which promotes projects for the valorisation, redevelopment and better use of places of culture.
The arrangement of the external areas immediately overlooking the museum is envisaged, including the Hera garden, the redevelopment of the laboratories and teaching spaces, the warehouses and the museum offices, as well as improvements and arrangements of the theater area (both internal and external environments), for a total value of approximately one million euros.
The end of the works is scheduled for spring 2026. Among the most significant effects of the project, in addition to a significant improvement of the parking areas belonging to the Ministry of Culture and the creation of spaces dedicated to teaching and educational services, the rearrangement of the depots, which after the works will finally be able to be periodically opened to the public.
The Masterplan of the archaeological parks of Crotone and Sibari, autonomous institute of the Ministry of Culture, governed by the Hon. Alessandro Giuli, is being updated to integrate these new projects into a coordinated vision of protection, research and valorisation of the heritage.
“A little more than a year after the creation of the archaeological parks of Crotone and Sibari, the new Institute confirms its strategic role in promoting knowledge and accessibility of the archaeological sites of Ionian Calabria: a path of renewal that starts from the construction sites and looks to the future with concrete projects of research, restoration and valorisation. – declares the Director, Filippo Demma – As usual, we let the facts speak”.