The landslide that struck the coastal stretch between Vietri sul Mare and Cetara last Thursday has once again highlighted the fragility of the Amalfi Coast. The alarm has been raised by Archeoclub d'Italia, whose national president, Rosario Santanastasio—a geologist by profession—is calling for urgent action to safeguard a heritage recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site since 1997.
A fragile heritage to protect
"The Amalfi Coast represents an exceptional Mediterranean cultural landscape, characterized by a harmonious interplay between wild nature and human ingenuity," explains Santanastasio. "It is a unique example of territorial adaptation through terraces, suspended villages, and architecture that defy the steep topography. Hydrogeological instability risks threatening this very distinctive feature."
The recent landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall, has reopened a wound that has never fully healed: the vulnerability of an extraordinary territory, yet extremely exposed to natural phenomena.
“It can't be left to chance”
According to the Archeoclub president, the causes of landslides are multiple, but they all stem from a structural vulnerability of the land that cannot be ignored. "Analyzing the geomorphology of the sites and their characterization is an essential requirement. It cannot be left to pure chance," Santanastasio emphasizes. "We simply need to intervene, because often the affected area could easily be treated through prevention."
The expert emphasizes the need for a proactive approach: constant monitoring, risk mapping, and timely intervention before emergencies turn into tragedies.
The proposal: Civil Protection for cultural heritage
The event on the Amalfi Coast is part of a worrying national context. Archeoclub also cites the recent damage to cultural heritage in Puglia, Sicily, and Calabria, all of which share the lack of a dedicated protection system. "We strongly relaunch the proposal to strengthen the establishment of a Civil Protection Agency for cultural heritage as well," concludes Santanastasio.
The goal is to ensure that the Amalfi Coast continues to be not only an excellent tourist destination, but above all a cultural heritage preserved for future generations.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
The article does a good job of explaining the importance of protecting the Amalfi Coast, but I'm not sure whether the proposed solutions are actually sufficient to address the problems facing the area. Greater commitment is needed.