Colombaia of Trapani: A Long-Awaited Restoration for a Historical Gem

 After years of neglect, detailed plans, funding, and most importantly, numerous delays and little progress, the restoration work on the Colombaia of Trapani, also known as Torre Peliade or Castle by the Sea, is set to commence in January or February of the upcoming year.

The project, supported by a 27-million-euro grant from the PNRR funds, confirmed by the Region last month, is an integral part of the previously approved plan, which now requires minor updates under the supervision of the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage. The European Commission at ARS has reaffirmed the timeline for the interventions, aiming for completion by 2026.

The refurbishment of Castle by the Sea, one of Trapani's most emblematic landmarks, has been anticipated for over two decades. During this time, the association "Salviamo la Colombaia" has been relentless in its efforts to draw attention to this monument, increasingly at risk of deterioration and subject to vandalism.

Luigi Bruno, the president of the association, who raised concerns earlier this summer about the bureaucratic process's unexplained silence, is now overseeing vigilance to ensure that there are no further hitches. Bruno has initiated a metaphorical countdown, emphasizing the urgency of adhering to the timeline, as the Colombaia, as repeatedly emphasized, can no longer afford to wait.

History of Colombaia:
One of the finest examples of military architecture in Sicily, the Colombaia has already witnessed over 2500 years of history. Constructed around 260 B.C., it fell following a significant naval battle where the Romans were defeated by the Carthaginians. However, two years later, Roman consul Numerius Fabius Buteo attacked and conquered the islet of Colombaia in a single night.

Under Roman rule, the tower, built on an islet, fell into disrepair and was reduced to a dovecote, using doves for communication. During this period, it likely became a site for the pagan cult of the goddess Venus Ericina, with doves as sacred animals. It was the Arabs who later restored its function as a lighthouse.

The current octagonal shape dates back to the medieval period when it was rebuilt by the Aragonese. It was expanded around 1400 and became a fortification during the reign of Charles V, defending the city against Barbary pirate raids. The final modifications were made in the 17th century on the orders of Viceroy Don Claudio Lamoraldo, Prince of Ligny. After its military purpose was discontinued, it was converted into a prison by the Bourbons. From 1821 to 1860, it housed Sicilian patriots of the Risorgimento, including Michele Fardella, Baron of Mokarta, who became mayor of Trapani in 1861.

Used as a prison until 1965 when the new Trapani prison was inaugurated, it then fell into a state of abandonment. In the 1990s, the precarious tower was restored, but the regional superintendence of Cultural Heritage could not intervene in the rest of the castle because it belonged to the state domain.

Recent Developments and State of Neglect:
In 2009, it was selected by the Italian Environmental Fund as a Place of the Heart of Italians, unfortunately due to its state of neglect and the urgent need for restoration. Another significant date was December 3, 2010, when the President of the Republic signed the decree transferring the property from the State to the Sicilian Region. Since then, we have been awaiting a restoration that has only been announced but never realized. After partial safety measures were implemented, it was once again left to its own devices. In recent years, and even recently, it has been subjected to vandalism, various damages, and the theft of electrical system cables.