Amatrice one year after: reconstruction of cultural heritage still far off
One year following the devastating earthquake on August 24, 2016, in central Italy that resulted in 296 fatalities and displaced more than 2,500 individuals, towns such as Amatrice, Accumoli, and Arquata del Tronto are grappling with significant cultural heritage challenges. A memorial event included 239 bell tolls and was attended by Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni among others. A monument created by Marino Di Prospero was also revealed. Amatrice's historic center remains largely in ruins, with debris clearance still ongoing. Key landmarks are deemed unsafe, and damage continues in Accumoli and Arquata del Tronto. A €100 million restoration decree aims to boost tourism. Initiatives like Artquake Centro Italia and a school cafeteria designed by Stefano Boeri, funded by a Corriere della Sera–LA7 fundraiser, demonstrate community solidarity.
Key facts
- Earthquake on August 24, 2016 killed 296 and displaced over 2,500
- Commemoration attended by PM Paolo Gentiloni, Nicola Zingaretti, Sergio Pirozzi, Virginia Raggi, Vasco Errani
- Monument by Marino Di Prospero unveiled, made from white travertine from Acquasanta Terme
- Basilica of San Francesco (14th-century facade), Sant'Agostino church, and Torre Civica still unsafe
- Damage persists in Accumoli (walls, medieval gates, bastions) and Arquata del Tronto (17th-century pointed arch door)
- Frane and cracks affect Urbino, Norcia, Camerino, Macerata, Tolentino, San Ginesio
- €100 million from Mezzogiorno decree to be allocated for monument restoration
- Artquake Centro Italia collected over 300 artworks; proceeds to reconstruction
- Stefano Boeri designed school cafeteria with 150 seats, funded by Corriere della Sera–LA7
- Contemporary art event on June 10–11, 2017 in Amatrice
Entities
Artists
- Marino Di Prospero
- Alberto Agazzani
- Stefano Boeri
Institutions
- Red Cross
- Corriere della Sera
- LA7
- Artribune
- Mole Vanvitelliana
- Museo della città di Rimini
Locations
- Amatrice
- Accumoli
- Arquata del Tronto
- Acquasanta Terme
- Ancona
- Rimini
- Urbino
- Norcia
- Camerino
- Macerata
- Tolentino
- San Ginesio
- Italy