Piazza della Libertà was inaugurated in Salerno in the presence of the President of the Region, Vincenzo De Luca, and the mayor, Vincenzo Napoli; great curiosity and expectation on the part of hundreds of citizens who arrived in the Crescent area to visit the “square by the sea – said the governor – the largest and most beautiful in Italy and Europe. A work like this is carried out in Italy every 500 years ». President De Luca told the story of the square, at first relying on a video on what was there before: decay, night-time dealing and abandoned industries. He explained: «They have been tough years for me and my children, Piero and Roberto. As you know, in this country, to create a public work it takes a huge effort, sometimes acts of heroism. I have achieved a life goal, I have linked my life to this work. I have never been discouraged, at any time. They have been heavy years ».
Fifteen years to dream of a different city and to realize it, «to make an average city in the South a European city». The governor then recalled the flood of ’54 that hit the city. “We also wanted this square for another reason, because almost seventy years ago in Salerno and on the Amalfi Coast there was a flood with hundreds of deaths. Here in Santa Teresa, carried by rivers of mud, the bodies of our fellow citizens arrived. This is a sacred place for us from Salerno. Piazza della Libertà is also called this way to claim the autonomy and pride of Salerno towards political potentates who for years have tried to keep us in a condition of subordination. This is the square of free men and women who have no political masters. For this piazza della Libertà ».
It was a forbidden place, says De Luca. “There hasn’t been any great work so participated in Italy and which has involved our fellow citizens so much, when it comes to democracy. Then the ordeal of design began: we are in Italy. This square has an area of 28 thousand square meters which is exactly the size of St. Peter’s square but with the entrance areas it reaches 40 thousand square meters and can accommodate 100 thousand people. There are other large squares, but not on the sea. We wanted to build the underground parking, we imagined two walks below the square at the height of the sea. There are about thirty stores ready for next summer. In the meantime, we have given the city of Salerno another 500 meters of seafront ».
The car park will be active in forty days, before the Artist Lights, “because, I hope, we will do the Artist Lights this year,” he said. «Tourists – added De Luca – will get off from the Maritime Station and from Piazza della Libertà will arrive on foot in the historic center. There is no tourist resort in the center in the world. It is something extraordinary and beautiful. This work must attract tourism and economy. Hundreds of jobs are linked to this square for commercial activities on commercials, for the management of the parking lot. An extraordinary work has been done ».
Tomorrow – explained the mayor – the mass of the patron saint, St. Matthew, will be celebrated here: “This tradition will be honored, with free admission for those who want to listen to the ceremony”. Five thousand chairs will be placed in the square and the Secretary of State Parolin will celebrate the pontifical of San Matteo tomorrow at 6 pm.