Made In Cloister: A Cultural Cluster Rises from Naples' Former Lanificio

In Naples' Porta Capuana district, the former Lanificio—a 19th-century wool and military uniform factory requisitioned from the Church by Ferdinand of Bourbon—has been reborn as a multilayered cultural hub. The complex, which once employed over 400 people before falling into decay associated with crime and prostitution, is undergoing a visionary phased restoration led by Made In Cloister. Architect Antonio Martiniello, one of three founders, describes it not as another exhibition space or gallery but as a 'factory producing social and artistic content' that integrates social emergencies and seeks a sustainable model for the neighborhood and the Mediterranean. The cluster now includes a network of creative enterprises collaborating with local museums and educational institutions. Artists and artisans, immigrants and workers interact to improve residents' quality of life. Notable presences include Jimmie Durham, who has his Italian studio in the former Lanificio. Other participants are cultural association Lanificio 25, cooperative Dedalus, Officine Gomitoli, Dino Morra gallery, IntoLab space, and choreographer Valeria Apicella's performing arts studio. The initiative is presented as a model for southern Italy and the Mediterranean.