CIVITAVECCHIA – A space that contains an important page in the history of the city. A corner of the monumental cemetery that cannot be properly valorised, if not through the commitment of the Fire Brigade who, in recent years, have found the support of the municipal administrations, but require adequate funds to redevelop the dedicated burial ground to the firefighters of Civitavecchia. A long and difficult job for various aspects, especially of an economic and bureaucratic nature.
HISTORY It was 1892 (132 years ago) when the Municipality granted the “municipal” Fire Brigade of Civitavecchia, an area for its men who fell in service or who distinguished themselves in heroic exploits. In 1922 the same Municipality granted another area for the expansion of the Sepulcreto, which was built by the Civitavecchia Fire Brigade themselves. Subsequently, a progressive technical-operational alignment of fire-fighting equipment and vehicles was established, resulting in RDL 2472 of 1935, which was then perfected in 1939 and 1941. This is the period in which the firefighters of all Italian municipalities were unified in ” National Fire Brigade”. With the unification, the Civitavecchia Fire Brigade lost the concession, since it was originally granted when they were still municipal and therefore also lost the management and control of the site, as it was plunged (due to the aforementioned passage) into a sort of limbo generated by a considerable bureaucratic confusion. The only photo, perhaps, of the last ceremony dating back to around 1950 has reached us Civitavecchia Police.
Then silence, a long distraction that lasted years, a continuous deterioration of the perimeter walls, the base and the marbles; a havoc of that place dedicated to our heroes, the most illustrious of which is Brigadier Fortunato Bonifazi, without taking anything away from the other decorated brave men. They were the so-called “civic firefighters” from 1861, the year of the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy.
THE LAST YEARS In more recent years, some Civitavecchia firefighters became aware of the abandonment and on their own initiative, in most cases at their own expense, occasionally removed the copious vegetation that was continually growing in the area. «The former Cre Roberto Diottasi – explain the Fire Brigade – carried out research work with painstaking patience, managed to find documents, photos and copies of official documents through which he was able to reconstruct the history of that area. About fifteen years ago, we drew up an estimate of the necessary works, but we immediately realized that the financial effort was not within our reach. Some time passed, but we had no intention of leaving that place at the mercy of the weeds which, although cut, within a few weeks, invaded the entire area again with extensive damage to the walls, niches and base. How to fulfill that duty, that moral task and of pietas towards those who, with honor, preceded us and who for years have safeguarded the city and the population of Civitavecchia itself. There were many problems to be solved, not only of an economic nature but also of a bureaucratic nature. The idea was to raise awareness of some CNVVF figures who in various capacities occupied or had occupied managerial levels or Civil Protection positions.
The former official Arch. Renzo Di Cintio, exploiting part of Roberto Diottasi’s work, carried out the survey of the area, drew up a project, a technical report and a historical report. He submitted this material to the judgment of the then Commander Engineer Marco Ghimenti who accepted it. The Commander immediately wrote to the then mayor Antonio Cozzolino to obtain specific information on the burial area and whether it was possible to obtain authorization to carry out renovation work. Having started this first phase, the Arch. Renzo Di Cintio presented the project, signed by his colleague Arch. Marco Colcerasa, to the Mibact and obtained the first authorization to carry out the works. Important support came from the president Claudio Garibaldi of the “Moral Association of Mutual Aid between Fire Brigades and former Fire Brigades”. Valid help then came along this path from the former VVF colleague and former DI.MA. Piero Moscardini of the Civil Protection who on 25 September 2019 organized a conference at the headquarters of the VVF Command in Rome, in the presence of the highest authorities of the CNVVF and the Mayor of Civitavecchia Ernesto Tedesco to raise awareness of the need to carry out the redevelopment work. We received an excellent contribution from the son of the most famous former Commander Elveno Pastorelli, Alessandro, and from his friend Valentino. We obtained the necessary contribution which allowed us to begin the first phase of the works on March 28, 2022. After a moment’s pause, a second phase of work began on February 26, 2024 under the supervision of the Arch. Marco Colcerasa and Renzo Di Cintio, followed and monitored. by the current CR Headquarters Giovanni Quaranta and Cse Massimo Labanti. The staff of the Fire Brigade Detachment of Civitavecchia and all the protagonists mentioned above in this difficult adventure can only thank the Municipality of Civitavecchia for advising, supporting and following us during the journey, in particular we thank the mayor Ernesto Tedesco, the Councilor Manuel Magliani, Eng. Giulio Iorio, the architect. Paola Carboni and Eng. Fernando Ferluga.”
THE APPEAL «We are aware that the redevelopment work is not complete due to lack of funds – they concluded – but we appeal to our colleagues who will follow us so that they can continue the work begun and maintain that area, avoiding degradation as has already occurred. Each of us, firefighters and former firefighters, have done, as far as possible, their part to bring new life to a place that must have a dignified appearance to accompany a liturgical reflection in profound silence that envelops our thoughts in the memory of those who rest ».
