Lights up Piazza Cardinal Pacca. Mayor Clemente Mastella, accompanied by the administration and the municipal technical staff in full force, he inaugurated the most discussed work of the last night Pics. A ribbon cutting that also wanted to symbolically break the avalanche of controversy that has accompanied the «Tourist front office: redevelopment of an area equipped for info points and tourist reception in Piazza Cardinal Pacca» project since its inception.
Presentation that went beyond the intervention envisaged by the project, largely remodeled following the archaeological finds that resurfaced from underground. In the spotlight last night, in addition to the small structure for tourist information, also the evocative lighting of the medieval walls of the square and the complex former monastery of San Pietro delle Monache, probably built by the Lombards on the copious remains of the Roman baths, hitherto hidden from view by a wall and an inextricable forest. Pieces of history as only Benevento can offer at every corner. Decidedly contemporary, however, is the bituminous covering laid on the eve of the event over the entire square, which will largely remain a car park, for the happiness of residents and commercial activities. The latter interventions were carried out thanks to extra funds (200 thousand euros) drawn from the municipal budget, not included in the one million Pics loan. Looking ahead, the administration is also aiming to redevelop the connection between Piazza Pacca and the Roman theatre through the only gap existing today in the medieval walls. An initiative that promises to be truly promising for the tourist development of the area.
THE INTERVENTIONS
A decisive restyling claimed with marked pride by the mayor, clearly determined to disavow the harsh criticism received on this point: «In Piazza Cardinal Pacca – declared Clemente Mastella – there was nothing, today there is a completely redeveloped place. A place is born that makes a clean break with a past that was only neglect, waste and nothing else. We constantly spoke with the Superintendence, all the steps were agreed with them: no one had ever said a word until this project on the finds arrived. Then we discovered unlikely experts in archaeology. The truth is that, as of now, there is no objective, scientific evidence of significant archaeological findings. The truth is that this square is reborn today: with the information point for visitors, an extremely pleasant green space, the lighting of the ancient walls, the asphalt completely redone. Once again where there was darkness, we brought light. There are also 70 parking spaces left. We are sure that the city is with us, in this further urban redevelopment work that remedies the problems and inefficiencies of the past. We continue to build a puzzle of emotions, beauty and concreteness.” This was echoed by the deputy and delegate to the Pics Francesco De Pierro: «The sedimentations of history, the strength of light and the challenge on tourist hospitality: the city once again embraces Piazza Cardinale Pacca. And he finds it redeveloped, with a new urban function, with a renewed look and with a splendid lighting effect which for the first time enhances a small treasure such as the surrounding ancient ruins. Today Piazza Pacca finds a strategic role in the proposal of a coordinated tourist offer, it is a space with new asphalt and greener. The Pics continue to give light and beauty to the city. The skepticism of some is defeated: from the theaters set up by the archaeologists on the eve, today we move on to a show of light, greenery and urban re-functionalisation. No more broken records, music has changed.”
THE STEPS
More than obvious references to the protests raised against the project by the opposition, but also by significant segments of civil society, promoter of an online petition with over two thousand signatures. In the crosshairs, the administration’s decision to go ahead with the creation of the infopoint despite the discovery of widespread historical evidence. In particular, remains of a mosaic floor probably belonging to the Roman baths, tombs and vaulted rooms from the medieval era, blocks of tuff attributable to the Samnite civilisation. All buried after appropriate covering with sheets, under the aegis of the Superintendency. The initial version of the Pics project also ended up in the archive, which together with the infopoint involved the creation of a tourist bus stop and the redevelopment of a green area in Corso Dante.
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