We receive and publish. “If the why is strong, the how can always be found”.
The Fortezza Giulia or Bramantesca known by most as “Forte Michelangelo” (also “strong Michelangelo” for the English) is one of the most famous fortresses in Italy. With its iconic architecture, it has represented Civitavecchia and its port for over 500 years.
Over the centuries this building has been the scene of many stories, the mysteries of which are still told today. Some of these mysteries are linked to its usability: why can’t the Fort be visited? Why is it closed? Why, if it is true that “he belongs to the city” can he not be used?
The answer lies in one word: will. Oh yes, even if the reason given was bureaucracy, if there was the will, it could be overcome: after human beings managed to grow tomatoes on Mars (San Marziano) and clone a living being (Dolly the sheep ) there is no such thing as “it can’t be done”!
The current situation is as follows: Fort Michelangelo has been used for logistical and housing needs of the Coast Guard since 1957 and up to the present day.
It appears that a project for the structural adaptation of the current headquarters of the Port Authority has recently been presented, a project which, if implemented, would already have the funding to proceed to the construction phase. This would allow the relocation of the logistical-housing structures and this would allow us to free a large part of the Fort now apparently held “hostage”.
Inside the Mastio (known as Maschio, the octagonal tower that characterizes the fortress), an exhibition has been set up for a few years, and also held hostage: “Navalia”. The exhibition, distributed over the four floors of the structure, includes models that perfectly represent some ancient Roman ports, one including that of Civitavecchia; scale Roman ships (triremes and quadriremes) used during the Punic wars which ended with the total supremacy of Rome on the Mediterranean Sea and… many other testimonies of the maritime capabilities of Imperial Rome.
It is truly paradoxical and surreal to note how bureaucracy, for years, has been used as an alibi (pretext, excuse, mitigating circumstance) for not deciding on the opening of the museum exhibition, which, also according to the availability of the current Director of the National Archaeological Museum, it could have been as part of a virtuous circuit of promotion of our history and our territory.
The true vocation of Civitavecchia is its sea: the history of its people passes through the sea and in this element it must find (rediscover) its identity, its pride, its economy, its future.
No, it is no longer time to postpone decisions that also have important employment implications for our city. Tourism activity is in fact recognized as an economic activity that produces a strong spin-off, and therefore contributes to local development: it is a transversal activity, which covers vast areas, creates income and employment, stimulates the creation of businesses (in hospitality, in catering , in trade, in services…) attracts capital and external investments: a clean economy that must be concretely promoted and supported.
“If the why is strong, the how can always be found”.
Ivana Puleo Candidate for the City Council on the Civic Union list for Marco Piendibene Mayor.
