Selinunte Temple G reconstruction sparks controversy over heritage preservation

The Sicilian Region is pushing forward with a €5 million project to reconstruct three colossal columns of Temple G at Selinunte, one of the most powerful ruin landscapes in the Mediterranean. The anastylosis, partly funded by Terna (€1 million), aims to re-erect columns over 16 meters high and 3 meters in diameter. Critics, including archaeologist Dieter Mertens, argue the intervention will destroy the site's unique aesthetic and historical value, which has inspired writers from the Grand Tour to Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir. The article by Gabriele Mulè denounces the project as a profound disrespect for the landscape, noting that the same funds could improve neglected infrastructure: shaky entrance windows, sun-faded signs, a torrid museum in summer, and a doubled ticket price (€25 for full visit). The author contrasts the lack of protest from local authorities with past defenders like Brandi, Argan, and Bianchi Bandinelli, and cites Christian Greco's criticism of outdated museum displays. The project is framed as a political publicity stunt rather than genuine conservation.