Hidden Hypogeum Discovered in Mazara del Vallo During Periferica Festival Preparations

During preparations for the fifth edition of the Periferica festival in Mazara del Vallo, Sicily, a large underground hypogeum of about 3,000 square meters was discovered behind a wall in a disused quarry. The space had remained unexplored for decades and contains traces of quarrying activity dating back to the early 1800s. The discovery was made by the founders of Periferica, a community-based urban regeneration project that transformed the old quarry into a cultural hub. The project manager Carlo Roccafiorita and curator Paola Galuffo, both from families of quarry workers, emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting this heritage. The festival, scheduled for July 27 to August 5, will feature German architect Jurgen Mayer and focus on the theme of the 'open museum' and culture's role in reactivation processes. The event has faced intimidation, including a stone-throwing incident last year that forced a night's suspension, drawing solidarity from Farm Cultural Park in Favara.