Naples' Piazza del Plebiscito to be revitalized with PNRR funds

Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples is set for a major transformation under a new agreement signed by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi. The project, funded by Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), allocates approximately €31 million for 24 interventions in Naples, about 10% of the total Fondo Edifici di Culto budget. By 2025, the public will see restored historic shops, a renovated colonnade, new lighting, and a temporary museum in the hypogeum six meters below the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola. The basilica, a key neoclassical monument, sits atop the hypogeum, which can host up to 300 people for exhibitions and conferences. The city will receive two shops at civic numbers 6 and 7, providing access to the underground space. Mayor Gaetano Manfredi emphasized that past experiences show that without activating the colonnade's ground-floor spaces, recovery projects fail, as constant presence ensures maintenance. The piazza's redevelopment is part of a broader plan for Naples' monumental area, including Galleria Umberto, via Acton, Molo San Vincenzo, and Molosiglio. The project also involves the Campania Region for the Santa Chiara complex, intended for university housing.