The Logo Of Fondazione Mediterraneo

Sharing values
Combating inequality
Constructing peace

Il nostro portalevideo
 Inglese Francese Italiano 
*

Home page

*
*
*

Who we are

*
*
*

The Network

*
**
*

The Branches

*
*
*

Activities

*
**
*

La Maison de la Méditerranée

*
*
*
Initiatives
*
Learning Arabic
Projects supported
   by EU
Euro-Mediterranean
   Conferences
Euromed Civil
   Forums
Euromed Youth
   Workshop
Eromediterranean
   Women Network
Training and
   Research
Mediterranean Award
Euro-Med Award
Euro-Maghrebi
   Youth Convoy
Chaire Averroes
Reseau de Chaires
Appeals for the
   Mediterranean

Meiad

   Mediterranean, Europe
   and Islam: Actors in
   Dialogue

Community Service
Cinema, Concerts
   and Exhibitions
Euromedcafe.org
* *

APPEAL FOR THE SASSI DI MATERA, THE GRAVINE, AND THE ALTA MURGIA

The Sassi di Matera, recognized as World Heritage by UNESCO and inserted in the list of protected sites, together with the Gravine and the Alta Murgia, require a particular attention to all the protagonists involved in this complex and unrepeatable human ecosystem.

Agencies, institutions, associations, technicians, scholars and citizens, interested in the protection of this site, faithfully, according to the historical memory of these places, avoid its misinterpretation or even destruction because of improper use of restoration techniques and alterations, or serious environmental manipulations.

As for the Sassi di Matera, the recent inspections have unfortunately pointed out that the restoration in progress in some houses and infrastructures, shows considerable inconsistences with the environmental context.

In particular it has been highlighted:
- the treatment of the façades is performed without paying the appropriate attention to the preservation of the patina of time, scraping off the tuff surfaces, and sometimes making doors and windows not in keeping with tradition. Such an architectonic paradox has to be avoided.
- the restoration and the partial reconstruction of walls, external stairs, fireplaces and other pieces of the mosaic of the "Sassi" are performed in contrast with pre-existent ones, using reinvented shapes resulting in a fanciful rebuilding of the monument.
- the proposal of an escalator does violence to the original establishment. The whole zone needs neither escalators, nor lifts, nor any new entrance or opening.
- It is essential, according to water saving projects and plans, to recover the ancient water collecting system of tanks and tubs, which is a unique characterizing element of the "Sassi".

The appeal for the "Sassi" calls upon the Italian Ministry of the Environment, and all administrations, agencies and institutions in charge of the protection to suspend the granted funds, to identify new and clear ideas and proposals about the restoration of this unique monument, recognized as Common Heritage of Mankind.

As for the Gravine, emphasis has been given to the unjustified absence of an appropriate legislation to preserve, promote and improve the natural, archaeological and cultural heritage.

As for the Alta Murgia and the Murgia Materana, there is evidence of a true environmental disaster caused by the unrestrained removal of stones in a vast part of the territory, producing serious consequences on the ecological equilibrium and on the preservation of its historical, cultural and landscape character.
The creation of small hill lakes in the Alta Murgia represents a very upsetting aspect of this situation as well as the general management of the restoration work that is not subjected to an appropriate control, which instead is necessary because this area has been defined area of deterioration by the skeleton law on protected areas (L.394/92).

The Institutions involved in the protection of this area are called to pay a closer attention to the fulfilment of the rules established by the Act Nr. 1089/39.
We call upon Puglia and Basilicata, Local Authorities and the European Union, to consider the possible use of new financial resources in order to restore the degraded areas and preserve the natural phytus granting economic support to farmers.
We call on the European Union, General Direction for Audiovisual Culture and Information, to plan specific interventions to preserve and restore the rural architectonic heritage in the territories of the Murgia Materana and Alta Murgia Nord Occidentale Barese.


Matera, April 20th - 22nd 1995

***
***
***
* *