Public toilet installed in front of Maradona mural, tourists take selfies with sign: "Cca' sta o' cess"

Yesterday morning, a new sign went up in Naples that immediately caught the attention of passersby. The sign, written in Neapolitan dialect, reads "Cca' sta o' cess" ("Here's the bathroom"), a slogan that didn't go unnoticed, immediately appearing in selfies of both Italian and foreign tourists.

The new installation has sparked mixed reactions. On the one hand, many have expressed surprise and irony at the unusual choice. On the other, there has been disappointment, along with some doubts. However, the public service initiative has also received widespread support, with people exclaiming, "It's about time," applauding the idea of ​​clearly signaling the presence of such an essential service.

After attracting over six million visitors in 2023, the mural dedicated to Diego Maradona in Largo Maradona is adding a new service, eagerly awaited by fans and tourists. As reported by the newspaper Repubblica, the "Bodega de Dios," a historic venue deeply linked to the legendary Argentine champion, has introduced accessible public restrooms for a symbolic fee of one euro.

These restrooms, designed for comfort and convenience, also include a baby changing table. The opening, scheduled for the next few days, responds to the need for basic infrastructure in an area that has seen a growing influx of football pilgrims and tourists.

Among the promoters of this project is Antonio "Bostik" Esposito, the mural's moral guardian and one of the neighborhood's historic figures. Esposito was involved in the creation of the first mural of Maradona in 1990, a work born from a collection by fans and created by the artist Mario Filardi on the occasion of Napoli's second Scudetto.

The post-Maradona tourism boom in 2020 has transformed the area surrounding the mural into a vibrant cultural and commercial hub. New businesses, such as pizzerias, chip shops, bars, and football merchandise stores, have sprung up around the mural, along with a museum dedicated to the Pibe de Oro, created by the Vignati family.

The public restroom initiative is nothing new to Naples. Similar precedents include "Se ti scappa" (If You Run Away) on Via dei Tribunali and other ongoing projects, such as in Piazza del Gesù, following a common trend in European tourist cities.

 The restoration of the mural will begin soon

At the same time, the Maradona mural at the "Bodega de Dios" is being restored by Argentine artist Juan Pablo Jimenez, renowned for his work in the area. Jimenez will be responsible for restoring the iconic mural, which represents not only Naples, but world football.

This new service not only responds to a practical need, but further strengthens the bond between the city of Naples and its beloved adopted son, Diego Armando Maradona.