Create a large archaeological park in the Squillace and Stalettì area to retrace the life and works of Cassiodorus. This is the objective that the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archeology has set itself with a project that has already taken its first steps through a mapping of the territory.
The general secretary of the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology, monsignor Carlo Dell’Ossotogether with the project representatives, professor Gabriele Castiglia and Dr Domenico Benocireturned to Calabria yesterday to involve the Calabria Region as an institutional partner in the project which could produce important impacts on the territory in terms of tourism and economic activities.
The meetings, requested by the president of the Chamber of Commerce of Catanzaro, Crotone and Vibo Valentia, Pietro Falbotook place yesterday in the Cittadella in the presence respectively of the councilor for Productive Activities, Rosario Variand then of the president of the regional council, Filippo Mancuso. Monsignor Carlo Dell’Osso illustrated the project to both of them, supported by the Pontifical Institute, which has already obtained all the authorizations from the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage.
Next summer, according to the program, archaeological excavations are expected to start in the area between Squillace and Stalettì in search of the monastery where the cassiodorous activity flourished and which, according to some theses, could be located in the immediate vicinity of the Alessi stream bed. The objective is to bring to light the remains of the “Vivarium” in view of the beatification process, still in progress, of Flavius Aurelius Cassiodorus the Great.
«I am particularly happy to participate in this meeting» declared the president of the chamber of commerce, Pietro Falbo. «The Chamber of Commerce wants to represent that point of connection between institutions capable of promoting the right support for meritorious projects. I believe that this is true not only for the cultural enrichment that could result for our territories but above all for the attractiveness that these places could exert from a tourist, cultural and religious perspective. The Holy See has decided to launch two excavation campaigns: one in the Cassiodorus places and the other in Bethlehem. This indicates the importance attributed to the project which also represents a tangible sign of attention towards Calabria”.
«This initiative starts thanks to the Archdiocese of Catanzaro-Squillace which started the process for the cause of beatification of Cassiodorus» explained the general secretary of the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology, Monsignor Carlo Dell’Osso, in illustrating the project . «But already in the context of that initiative it was well understood that the valorization of the character of Cassiodorus could not be separated from the places where he had lived and worked. This is how it was decided to start an archaeological excavation campaign in search of the remains of the monastery he founded. Our objective is to move in the wake of these religious sources to create an archaeological and cultural park in the Squillace and Stalettì area, producing a positive impact for the areas that will be affected by the research and excavation campaign”.