The construction season continues at the Capo Colonna Archaeological Park, a site of great historical and cultural significance in Calabria. The Archaeological Parks of Crotone and Sibari have begun a new redevelopment project that is part of the area’s redevelopment program, launched in recent months and aimed at making the archaeological area and the adjoining museum more usable and accessible. In recent months, the first intervention involved the overall renovation and rearrangement of the archaeological museum, with work to be completed by the end of October.
“A little more than a year after the creation of the Archaeological Parks of Crotone and Sibari,” says the Director, FilippoDemma, “the new Institute confirms its strategic role in promoting the knowledge and accessibility of the archaeological sites of Ionian Calabria: a path of renewal that starts from the construction sites and looks to the future with concrete projects of research, restoration and enhancement. As usual, we let the facts speak for themselves.”
The renovation involved both the exhibition spaces and the internal structures, allowing a better organization of the collections and visiting routes. In parallel, the second construction site, inaugurated on September 29, focused activities on excavations and archaeological research conducted in collaboration with the Southern High School. Operations focused on the southwestern area of the sanctuary and on Building B, the archaic temple located north of the great temple of Hera Lacinia, one of the focal points of worship in the Croton area. The research site resumes last year’s interventions, during which a small enclosure with an altar came to light.
Currently, archaeologists are deepening the study of one of the sanctuary’s oldest buildings, with the aim of reconstructing its building and cultic history. The work focuses on the analysis of different construction phases, traces of rituals practiced in the sanctuary, and the building’s relationship to the Via Sacra, which runs along the northern side of the complex. The investigations aim to enrich knowledge about the sanctuary, the center of the cult of Hera Lacinia and a reference for archaeological research in the Mediterranean.
The third construction site, delivered on Oct. 15, involves interventions funded through Law 232/2016, aimed at the enhancement, redevelopment and better use of cultural sites. The project involves the outdoor areas adjacent to the museum, including the garden of Hera, and includes the redevelopment of laboratories, educational spaces, storage rooms and museum offices. Special attention is also paid to the theater area, with work on interior and exterior spaces. The total investment exceeds 1 million euros, with completion scheduled for spring 2026. Among the most important spin-offs of the project are the improvement of parking areas pertaining to the Ministry of Culture and the creation of spaces dedicated to teaching and educational services.
The rearrangement of the repositories will also make it possible to open them periodically to the public, increasing opportunities to enjoy the preserved heritage. The Masterplan of the Archaeological Parks of Crotone and Sibari, an autonomous institute of the Ministry of Culture headed by the Honorable Alessandro Giuli, is currently being updated. The goal is to integrate the new projects within a coordinated vision of protection, research and enhancement of the archaeological heritage. The strategic approach aims to combine conservation and cultural tourism development, ensuring full enjoyment of the interventions and an overall improvement of the visiting experience for citizens and tourists.
 |
| Capo Colonna, three construction sites to enhance the archaeological park |
Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.
