The list of vandalized monuments in the city is certainly long. From the Piazza del Plebiscito colonnade peppered with swastikas and phalluses to the statue of Vincenzo Bellini nicknamed the “Harlequin” because of the rainbow of spray cans that paint him. Palaces, towers, even recently renovated churches, statues: unfortunately defacement in Naples has always been popular, even though the years have passed and the city continues to grow. Even at the inauguration of the lights, unfortunately there were still those who enjoyed writing about the Neptune Fountain hemicycle. Palazzo San Giacomoin this case, but he has a plan the studied Il Mattino of Tavolo del Decoro coordinated by Ciro Turiello and started in April. The government’s aim, at the will of Mayor Gaetano Manfredi, is to implement “an organic plan for the monuments: this will be one of the first steps in 2026”.
Protocol
In practice, we are talking about protocols with Supervisors, which can simplify intervention procedures on protected monuments and sites, filters of the Table of Decency. Also at stake are possible fines and sanctions for those guilty of littering. In this regard, we can give one example above all: Galleria Umberto was recently cleared of graffiti. But the fear is that in the near future uncivilized people will return to destroying the marbles of the 19th century. This is why at the beginning of next year “ad hoc video surveillance” will be required in the first living rooms in the city.
Unfortunately, the defacers’ hands are always hot, and the can doesn’t even stop in front of the newly renovated monument: «For the Church of Sant’Angelo a Nilo – explains Antonio Pariante from the Portosalvo Committee – in a few years 200 thousand euros have been spent on the restoration of the facade, which was once again vandalized”. The impoliteness and waste of public money, in this case, travel together. The Pignatelli Chapel and the statue Neapolitan Corps at San Biagio dei Libraifor example, destroyed.
Arcades
The same applies to the church of Sant’Eligio and the Sphinx in Piazza Mercato, to the portico and parts of the facade of the Duomo, to the church of San Pietro a Majella and to Santissima Trinità. Just a few examples, as mentioned, from a very long list. The plan, which was also discussed yesterday at the Tavolo del Decoro meeting – to which a “portfolio” of 200 thousand euros per year could be added, according to the council – provides a set of guidelines that will be implemented from the beginning of next year. We are thinking about entrusting “the handling of contamination to companies working on the restoration of sites located in UNESCO centers, as is the case for example at Porta Capuana”.
A company’s ability to clean up graffiti could also be a “tender requirement.” We also discussed subsidiary properties that are “in the public interest, such as the artsy metro stations that are too often vandalized.” This service can be entrusted to an association (such as Angeli del Bello or 100x100Naples), to a subsidiary of the same company after staff training, or to an external company under contract with Palazzo San Giacomo.
Association
Ettore Morra, with “100x100Naples”, a non-profit association “Projects & Fundraising”, he was already busy cleaning up the dirty parts of Naples. «For almost a year – he explained – we have been installing new and important sports equipment on the beach Mappatella Beachit was inaugurated in February 2025. This initiative was followed by the installation of beach volleyball courts and nets: Furthermore, we also handled the rebuilding of the walls and cliffs, which were unfortunately marked by a lot of graffiti and vandalism. We commission specialized companies, which use the highest quality products for surface care and cleaning. The results were amazing: almost all the graffiti was permanently removed. The intervention is carried out with permission from the competent authorities, not only belongs to the Municipality but also to the Stateand entirely funded by the 100x100Naples Foundation. In the past we have handled graffiti removal at Liceo Umberto, at Cesario Console, at Ennio Antonini park, near Mascagna Park and at Piazza 4 Giornate”.
