From exhibitions to interactive paths, a new cultural pole for Naples

The interview given of the president of the Polo Pietrasanta Raffaele Iovine

We present the Pietrasanta Cultural Center. Its history, its purpose, and what it is dealing with right now.

The association Pietrasanta was founded in 2011,  by me and a group of friends, professionals, entrepreneurs, who came together because attracted by this beautiful monument, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Together we presented a project for the enhancement of the complex to the Diocese of Naples.

In reality, of the Pietrasanta complex, the Chapels, the Bell Tower, and the Piazzetta, we have been taking care of for many more years: at least since 2000, when I and other friends decided to invest in the historic center of Naples and we understood, with love and passion for this city, that it was necessary to start a project of recovery, protection, enhancement of this beautiful complex at the gates of the major decumanus.

Today, after five years of work, a very long administrative process and an important dialogue with the superintendences, we are about to reopen the Basilica della Pietrasanta with extraordinary projects, including those of the exhibitions.

Last year we hosted one, curated by Vittorio Sgarbi, the Hidden Treasures, while Saturday we inaugurate the second, The Museo della Follia.

Finally we have entrusted to a Neapolitan image and communication company, Phantasya, a project for the enhancement of the Basilica, the crypt and the fantastic underground environment.

In fact, from Pietrasanta, we have access to one of the largest cavities in the entire historic center, from where the route of the Greco-Roman aqueduct begins.

We are going to present an extraordinary and truly unique product to the city.

Come è iniziata questa lunga avventura di recupero del complesso?

Ricordo ancora con piacere quando nei primi anni 2000 cominciammo i lavori di recupero.

Prima della Cappella del SS. Salvatore, che era totalmente abbandonata e in uno stato di degrado…
Immaginate che nella chiesa c’era un fruttivendolo che la sera faceva entrare cani randagi!
E poi il restauro del tempietto rinascimentale, unico nel suo genere, ovvero la Cappella Pontano.

La Pietrasanta sta per riaprire le sue porte ai napoletani e ai tanti turisti che oggi frequentano la città. Porte che non si chiuderanno mai più.

Oggi Pietrasanta è patrimonio UNESCO.

Source DIRE