Ariccia: Former Parco Savelli — commitment to archaeological protection

Ariccia: Former Parco Savelli — commitment to archaeological protection and enhancement

On 11 April 2026, the cultural association Circus Fratrum Arvalium organised a public meeting at the Bernini car park to request a formal pledge from Ariccia's mayoral candidates to protect and promote the area known as the former Parco Savelli (between via del Pometo, Via della Croce and Via Appia Antica).

Many local residents attended the meeting and political representatives signed a statement drafted by the association's study group. The initiative aims to trigger administrative and technical actions to safeguard any historical and archaeological evidence within the site.

Main commitments signed

• Preliminary assessment: initiate the procedures required by law to determine the site's historical, archaeological and landscape significance;
• Maintenance and safety: request cleaning and securing measures to improve site legibility and enable more informed evaluations;
• Project reassessment: re-evaluate planned works (e.g. parking project and related volumes) considering protection needs;
• Non-invasive enhancement: promote solutions that preserve archaeological remains and the environmental context;
• Cultural collaboration: the association offers to contribute with studies, document collection and outreach within its capabilities;
• Public initiatives: plan an Archaeology Festival in Parco Chigi with broad community engagement.

The signed statement is a cultural and propositional contribution; it is not a technical proposal nor an executive project, and does not replace the authority of competent bodies. During the meeting, literary references and study maps already submitted to the Superintendency in summer 2023 were also presented to support the request for archaeological assessment.

The association announced further outreach and research activities to keep attention on the site's historical and landscape potential.