Butera, in the province of Caltanissetta, southern coast of Sicily. Falconara beach. On a rocky spur stands the Falconara Castle, a historic residence from the 14th century. Italia Nostra denounces an assault on the landscape. Below is the statement from the regional president of Italia Nostra Sicilia.
In 2001, the Regional Department of Cultural Heritage declared Falconara Castle and the adjoining garden “of important historical-architectural interest” and were therefore subjected to the relevant protection requirements. It is a site, an architectural complex of peculiar charm and beauty that characterizes the magnificent coastline in front. The restriction decree intended to preserve any alteration of the landscape and environmental context of the coast as well as of the entire coastal area which has been identified and designated as an SCI, SAC and SPA area. The area is part of the vast coastline of southern Sicily which, from the white beaches of Butera continues with the Punta Bianca nature reserve up to the Torre Salsa reserve, incorporating the famous Scala dei Turchi. It is no coincidence that this part of the southern coast of the island is largely subject to restrictions due to its extraordinary naturalistic and landscape beauties.
As a consequence of the protection measure, in 2005 the illegal Lido Sorriso, an “ecommonster” built near the Falconara Castle, was demolished. Recently, we became aware of the fact that the area in which the Lido Sorriso stood, following a regional tender, would have been given in concession, by the Maritime State Property of the Sicilian Region, to a company that is building a new lido, with prefabricated structures and significant reinforced concrete works, while on the largest rock on the beach a sort of brick terrace will be incredibly restored.
What to say? The photographic images we recently took on the Falconara beach are eloquent. And disconcerting. Furthermore, it is clear that a new concession by the Sicilian Region, in that area, would constitute a serious and absurd action in clear contradiction with the protection measures put in place and the consequent demolition of Lido Sorriso in 2005. Demolition carried out with public funds and aimed at restoring the state of the places. Therefore, we expect clear responses and immediate inspection actions from the Sicilian Region (specifically from the Regional Department of Territory and Environment and from the Department of Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity), but also from the Municipality of Butera and the Superintendence for the Cultural and Environmental Heritage of Caltanissetta. Italia Nostra also reserves the right to file a complaint with the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Caltanissetta.
