Fire Ravages Unesco-Protected Cavallerizza Reale in Turin

On October 21, 2019, shortly before 8 a.m., a fire broke out at the Cavallerizza Reale in Turin, a Unesco World Heritage site. The flames severely damaged the roof and hayloft. Five firefighting teams responded, and superintendent Luisa Papotti expressed concern. The fire is suspected to be arson, mirroring a 2014 blaze in the same area, which also remains unsolved. The space is illegally occupied by the collective Cavallerizza Irreale, which uses it for cultural events. In a Facebook statement, the collective claimed the fire was limited to the Pagliere section, which is not Unesco-protected, and that they continue to occupy the premises despite the danger. The article criticizes the occupation as illegal privatization of artistic heritage.