Corfinio asks to be designated a national archaeological site

The municipality of Corfinio (L'Aquila) has formally asked Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli to recognize the area as a national archaeological site. The proposal seeks state management to ensure stronger protection and enhancement of the town's ancient heritage.

In a letter sent by Mayor Francesco Di Nisio, the municipality highlights the historical importance of the area, once the capital of the Italic league during the Social War (91-88 BC) and considered a symbolic site of early Italian identity. The application cites several key places:

• the Domus of the Mosaics;
• the Archaeological Park of the Sacred Area;
• the Sanctuary of Fonte Sant'Ippolito;
• the Civic Archaeological Museum and the Lapidarium.

The small municipality, with about 940 residents, reports difficulty in independently maintaining and managing a heritage of national importance and points to the administrative model used for Pietrabbondante as a possible example. The stated aim is to strengthen protection of historical roots and boost cultural tourism.

The request is now under ministry review: the next steps include a technical assessment to determine the site's suitability and any consequent state-level management measures.