Rediscovering Stefania Filo Speziale, Naples' First Female Architecture Graduate

Stefania Filo Speziale (1905–1988), the first woman to graduate in architecture in Naples in 1932 and one of the first in Italy, is being rediscovered after decades of obscurity. Despite a prolific career with about 150 works, she faced harsh criticism, especially for the Grattacielo della Società Cattolica di Assicurazioni (1954–57), which was vilified in Francesco Rosi's film 'Le mani sulla città' (1963) and by critic Cesare Brandi. Her private archive was destroyed shortly before her death, hindering scholarship. Recent efforts include a 2003 exhibition, a 2014 monograph by Marco Burrascano and Marco Mondello, and a 2022 tribute by Open House Italia's 'Architetti senza tempo' in Naples, featuring a talk, exhibition 'Stefania Filo Speziale. Abitare la città mediterranea' at DIARC, and guided tours. Key works include Palazzo Della Morte (1951–57), the residential complex at via Petrarca 141 (1953), and the controversial Grattacielo. Her design philosophy emphasized a 'mediterraneità altra' and a deep relationship with landscape and materials.