The works at the Lombardy Castle are causing discussion in Enna, especially after the appearance of a reinforced concrete structure. The president of the municipal council, Paolo Gargaglione, has raised an alarm and intends to bring the issue of interventions in the fortress into a public debate. The archaeologist Sandro Amata, president of the Enna section of Ancient Sicily, who ViviEnna interviewed, rejected the work in no uncertain terms.
Listen, what do you think of the work at the Lombardy Castle?
This redevelopment plan for the Lombardy Castle which should enhance its beauty involves the use of concrete materials and works so we can speak of a significant overbuilding of the area.
Can you be more precise?
We noticed that on the front of the Castle, coming from Via Roma, they are building a reinforced concrete wall, practically attached to the Castle’s rock, with a staircase that should embellish this pseudo-promenade, made with white Custonaci marble. A modern work that has an important impact on the monument.
What is the purpose, in your opinion, of this project?
I seem to understand that this specific project has as its basis the philosophy of the meeting between the ancient and the modern, not taking into account some fundamental concepts when working on an ancient monumental asset. The first concerns that of conservative restoration which involves the use of techniques and materials as similar as possible to the original with which one interacts. And here we are talking about a monument and an area that over the last few centuries, due to incorrect interventions, has suffered wounds that can sometimes no longer be healed.
And the Superintendency?
Look, our intention is to request access to the documents to be aware of this project. Furthermore, we know that the construction of a six-metre tower is underway, leaning against the fortification for the future Theater under the Stars, much desired by local politicians. It is incredible how in an area subjected to landscape, archaeological and monumental constraints, works can be authorized that distort its original nature and conformation.
What is the Castle for?
There are walls that are at risk of collapse, not to mention the Pisan Tower, which is also in poor condition. There is a deterioration of the property that is truly frightening and it is this aspect that needed to be taken care of, rather than reinforced concrete staircases. Instead, interventions were chosen that have nothing to do with safeguarding our fortress. In short, we have taken the path of entertainment, perhaps weddings, rather than the recovery of the Castle of Lombardy.
But where will this theater be built?
In the second courtyard, practically, from the information in my possession, the idea is to create a mobile theater which, to function, requires a six meter tower, leaning against the wall between Rocca di Cerere and the Castle. Indeed, there are also plans to build an elevator. We can say that they are spreading, without mincing words, a funeral shroud around the terminally ill patient.
