Levanzo: Dismantling of Controversial Solarium Marks the End of an Era

 Throughout the summer, it dominated discussions. There were protests, controversies, interventions from the judiciary and regional institutions.

However, Levanzo can now bid farewell to a construction that felt like an affront to its enchanting landscape. In recent days, the divisive solarium, constructed by Ma.Ce.Tra., led by former Forza Italia member Giuseppe Maurici, has been dismantled.

With the communication to the Trapani Port Captaincy, the structure, which had sparked protests and objections from citizens, tourists, and environmental associations, was taken down. Let's revisit the stages of this saga.

Work and Initial Protests:
In early May, Ma.Ce.Tra. began constructing a heliotherapeutic solarium on Levanzo's rocky coast, covering an area of 810 square meters. This included an open area of 737.05 square meters and a section with easily removable structures covering 70.85 square meters, serving the hotel structure known as the "former refreshment area of Levanzo - Pensione dei Fenici". The construction immediately stirred controversy due to its integration into the rocky terrain, drastically altering the landscape. Notably, the solarium was planned near sewage outlets that directly discharged into the sea.

The First Seizure:
Despite claims from the owners that everything was in order, with specific demesne concession granted in 2020, the Trapani Port Captaincy seized the entire project a few days later. This triggered a political controversy, with accusations directed at the mayor and offices for not conducting adequate checks. Mayor Francesco Forgione of the Egadi Islands explained, "The procedure began in 2017 before my appointment, and the demesne concession was granted in July 2020, with all the necessary permits from the Region." Nevertheless, Forgione initiated checks within his municipality.

Prosecution Revokes Seizure:
Less than a week later, the seizure was lifted by the Trapani prosecutor's office. Giuseppe Maurici, administrator of Ma.Ce.Tra., clarified after the release, "What can be seen today is the structural part, currently only partially completed, following the shared project design by the Civil Engineering Department and the Municipality of Favignana. There will be no environmental damage, no cementing, and the structure will be anchored to the cliff using a special chemical fixing, also designed for ease of dismantling, as this solarium will only operate during the summer."

Superintendence Orders Complete Dismantling:
However, matters took a different turn. A few days later, the Superintendence for Cultural and Environmental Heritage of Trapani ordered the "restoration of the site to its original state". Essentially, they mandated the complete dismantling "due to discrepancies between the implemented project and what was found by the same Office's technicians." In the meantime, the Egadi Islands Municipality suspended the building permit. Bureaucratic complications emerged, including discrepancies between the Superintendence's directive and what the Civil Engineering Department had envisaged.

Expired Concession:
It was later discovered that the contentious solarium had been constructed with an expired demesne concession. The concession had been granted on September 15, 2020, to Maurici's company. Construction commenced on Levanzo's cliffs in May 2023. According to the official act, the company was supposed to complete the structure and initiate operations by September 15, 2021, under the penalty of license forfeiture. The Region also ordered the company to dismantle it. The situation heated up, with both locals and environmentalists protesting: "Hands off Levanzo's coast." The issue even reached the European Commission.

Region Revokes Concession:
In July 2023, the Superintendence confirmed the non-compliance of the works. It had provided a favorable opinion for a structure entirely made of wood, including the load-bearing structure and limited height (max 1.50 meters facing the sea). However, assessments carried out by the same Superintendence revealed a far greater height (4.95 meters), indicating a significant and obvious discrepancy. The document noted that the final opinion from the Civil Engineering Department did not highlight any disparities with the project approved by the Superintendence. The demesne concession was issued based on conflicting opinions, especially regarding the use of different materials for the load-bearing structure. The result: the Sicilian Region annulled the demesne concession. The solarium must be dismantled. Maurici objects, asserting that he followed all procedures, and that the relevant authorities were aware and had approved the construction. He announced an appeal and described himself as "damaged" by the entire affair, not ruling out complaints to the Prosecutor's Office.

Final Act:
In recent weeks, perhaps the concluding chapter has been written. The solarium has been dismantled, as anticipated, given that it was a seasonal structure. Mayor Forgione and the people of the Egadi Islands celebrated what many had already foreseen as an eyesore. The solarium was taken down in recent days. However, what will happen next summer remains to be seen.