The project for returning the Old Fortress to its former aquatic glory is finally getting underway.
A little over a month after awarding the tender for the first project phase, Port Network Authority president, Davide Gariglio signed the concession agreement this morning. Porto Immobiliare srl is now responsible for the stretch of water that runs along the walls of the Medici fortress, from the Santa Trinita Bridge to the Varco Fortezza port terminal gate
This is not a mere formality but a fundamental step towards getting the work started, hopefully on 18th January. This will be done by the temporary consortium (consisting of the construction company Tirrena spa and LU.MAR. impianti srl.) which was awarded the contract on 30th October.
With the signing of the concession agreement, Porto Immobiliare will have full access to the areas where the redevelopment work is to begin. It will prepare the site handover certificate, which will include not only the areas covered by the lease (1719 m2, including 440 m2 water surface area) but also an additional 7500 m2 of open areas already owned by Porto Immobiliare (which the Port Network Authority and Chamber of Commerce both have a stake in).
The lease is a ten-year one, starting on 9th December. The first phase of the project will be completed in 18 months, digging down to 2.80 metres below its current level, thus restoring the Medici fortress to its original aquatic state, as it was in the 19th century before the perimeter canal surrounding its walls was permanently filled in. A partially natural current-induced embankment, and, in part, man-made, to make room for the storage of Carrara marble blocks that would be used to build the area next to the fortification, Piazzale dei Marmi.
The first phase, which costs €3.3 million, is co-financed through Porto Immobiliare by both the Port Network Authority (72%) and the Chamber of Commerce (28%). It includes building a paved walkway and a flight of steps leading to the Fortress, which will also be accessible to disabled people and will connect the historic La Venezia district to Livorno’s iconic monument.
Mr. Gariglio expressed his satisfaction, praising the teamwork that made achieving this milestone possible: “I would like to thank Porto Immobiliare and the Chamber of Commerce for their hard work,” he said, also pointing out the strategic role that the Port Network Authority has so far played in optimizing public assets.
“We like to be able to stress that a port’s identity is not only determined by the volume and types of traffic it handles, but also by those intangible values that redefine the symbiotic relationship with the city it belongs to,” he explained. “That is why we have also contributed financially to the redevelopment of the new boating marina in the port of Livorno, Moreover, it is with this conviction that we are now planning major rennovation projects, such as the restoration of the Marzocco tower’s aquatic status. With the signing of this concession agreement, he concluded, we are restoring the Old Fortress to its former glory, allowing it to fully develop its potential as a venue for trade fairs and cultural events.”
Porto Immobiliare’s sole administrator, Lorenzo Riposati, also expressed his satisfaction: “We are proud to be able to make a significant contribution to a project that represents not only a redevelopment initiative, but a real investment in the future of the city and its port,” he said. Morevoer, “restoring the Old Fortress’ original aquatic status, albeit partially until the second phase is completed, is a historic step forward that gives this extraordinary landmark back both its original dimensions and its central role in the relationship between Livorno and its waterfront.”
In thanking the Port Network Authority and the Maremma & Tirreno Chamber of Commerce “for their teamwork and common vision that has allowed us to get this far.” Mr. Riposati pointed out how the signing of the concession agreement marks the tangible start of a journey undertaken with great conviction.“Porto Immobiliare,” he clarified, “will make all its expertise available to ensure efficient management of the areas and timely coordination of activities, so that the construction site can proceed as quickly as possible and in compliance with the required quality standards.”
Riccardo Breda, President of the Maremma & Tyrrhenian Chamber of Commerce, echoed these sentiments, thanking Porto Immobiliare and the Port Network Authority for their commitment and highlighting the importance of institutional synergy: “This project demonstrates how collaboration between institutions can generate value for the local area,” he said, reiterating that “as the Chamber of Commerce, through our subsidiary Porto Immobiliare, we have believed and invested wholeheartedly in this project, which is very important for Livorno, not only for the restoration of a precious asset, but also for the potential it will unleash.” The president added that the Old Fortress will certainly be a key feature of the Biennale del Mare, an event promoted by Livorno Municipality. Its first edition was held last May: “Giving the Old Fortress back its former aquatic glory means enhancing the city’s heritage and creating a driving force for tourism and economic growth capable of making Livorno and its waterfront even more competitive and welcoming,” was Mr. Breda’s concluding message.
The mayor of Livorno, Luca Salvetti, believes that, thanks to the signing of the concession agreement, the Old Fortress will return to its original, ancient splendour again, completely surrounded by water: “The monument that symbolizes the city,’ he said, ‘will be an island once again connected to the centre by a pedestrian walkway, enhanced by green areas with trees instead of car parks.”
Concluding his speech, Mr. Salvetti focused on the strategic importance of instituitons collaborating on enhancing the city’s historical heritage: “With this operation, carried out thanks to the Port Network Authority and the Maremma & Tyrrhenian Chamber of Commerce with our Municipality’s support, the city of Livorno can continue recovering its identity and transforming and re-evaluating its historical sites, creating a new attractive location for local citizens and tourists,’ he said.
The Municipal Councillor for Urban Planning and Construction, Silvia Viviani, was also present at the signing ceremony. In her speech, she highlighted the strategic importance of a broad vision cultivated day after day thanks to the consolidated relationships between the institutions involved. According to Councillor Viviani, this vision is accompanying the processes of transformation and regeneration of the city’s waterfront. The project to enhance the Silos Granario is also part of this process: “We are discussing the best ideas to develop to make the most of this historical asset,” she said, specifying that their primary objective will be to facilitate its integration with the city as much as possible.
Translation by Giles Foster
