Livorno – the Darsena Vecchia and the Scali Cialdini are reborn with PNRR funds: photovoltaics, accessibility and a new face for fishing. An investment of 1.7 million euros financed through a contribution from the Ministry of Agriculture transforms the historic fishing area into a model of sustainability and inclusion, without erasing its port identity.
The restyling of the work was inaugurated this morning in the presence of the highest territorial institutions. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by the president of the Port System Authority, Davide Gariglio, the vice president of the Tuscany Region, Bintou Mia Diop, the president of the Province of Livorno, Sandra Scarpellini, the mayor, Luca Salvetti, the bishop of Livorno, Simone Giusti, and the Captain of Vessel Rodolfo Raiteri, who intervened representing the maritime director of Tuscany, Admiral Giovanni Canu.
The event drew an exceptional audience of civil and military authorities and port sector professionals. Among those present were the president of the Chamber of Commerce Riccardo Breda, the deputy vice questor, Olga Maria Arganese, the Commanding Officer of the Naval Academy, Ettore Romeo, the executive director of FHP MarterNeri, Giorgio Neri, and the president of the Port Company of Livorno, Enzo Raugei.
What was presented to the press is an organic intervention of functional and energy redevelopment of the historic port area — long degraded — which is thus returned to the citizens. The project, illustrated by the works director, Eng. Ivano Toni, manages to combine free use of the spaces with the operational needs of professional fishing, which maintains its intact role along the quays, concentrating in a single area dedicated to the sale of the catch.
Darsena Vecchia
In Darsena Vecchia the existing asphalt was removed, replaced by an architectural pavement with concrete blocks (a solution very common along the city’s main promenades) which integrated tactile paths for individuals with sensory disabilities.
On the square of Darsena Vecchia (traditionally called Pennello) two new galvanized steel canopies covered with composite wood slats (WPC) have been installed, a material chosen for its high durability in a brackish environment and for its sustainability, being regenerable and fire-certified.
The two structures house an integrated photovoltaic system with green-colored modules, designed to minimize the landscape impact while ensuring energy production.
A central element of the restoration concerned the monumental stone staircases (granite and travertine); in this case, the black crusts were removed and a conservative restoration was carried out, which also included the repositioning of stone blocks that had been removed over time.
Finally, to facilitate maritime operations, galvanized steel floating docks were installed, complete with access walkways and service columns for the supply of water and electricity.
Scali Cialdini
Moving to the area of Scali Cialdini, the project focused on regenerating the existing structures without proceeding with new total demolitions.
The 16 boxes intended for fishermen were renovated by removing the completely degraded wooden cladding and applying a new “dress” of WPC slats, thus maintaining formal consistency with the Pennello della Darsena and, above all, with the new canopy. In fact, the old steel structure, now oxidized and completely deteriorated, was replaced by a new technological roof equipped with a photovoltaic system of approximately 20 kWp with related battery storage systems.
Regarding the furnishings and services, new separate collection points for waste from fishing activities were installed, as well as a LED public lighting system on architectural concrete poles, designed to withstand the aggressive coastal atmosphere.
The work is entirely financed by the PNRR (Mission 2 “Green Revolution and Ecological Transition”) through the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests (MASAF).
The statements
“This intervention – declared Gariglio – represents a key piece for a real integration between the port and the city of Livorno. Thanks to the PNRR resources, we have managed to combine the protection of the historical heritage with the challenges of the ecological transition, while at the same time guaranteeing concrete support for the quality of the work carried out in this area. Our main objective – he added – was to return fully accessible and renovated spaces to the citizens, while simultaneously offering fishermen modern, efficient and sustainable infrastructures, in full compliance with the most rigorous environmental criteria.”
The president of the AdSP then recalled that a port can exist only if it maintains a living bond with its community: “I thank the mayor and all the institutions. The collaboration between our body and local realities demonstrates that, by joining forces, great results are achieved. We will continue to work so that these works generate positive and concrete benefits for the entire community.”
Satisfied mayor Salvetti, who spoke of a fundamental intervention for three specific aspects. The first element concerns the institutional collaboration between the Port System Authority and the Municipality of Livorno, which together have redesigned a new portion of the city. “The AdSP obtained the necessary funding and the Municipality contributed with a strong idea, fully shared by President Davide Gariglio, which was to renovate the promenade that goes from the Livorno sign to the Quattro Mori” he declared.
“By moving the purification plants, the municipal administration allowed the AdSP to work in larger spaces, broadening the scope of the project to create a work of the highest level,” he added, emphasizing how the project fits into the broader regeneration of the Livorno waterfront. “If we make a comparison with 2019, we realize we are in another world: I am thinking of the renewed aquatic connection of the Fortezza Vecchia, the work in the fishing boat area, up to the tourist port and the important interventions by the Municipality on the seafront. This waterfront is, for all intents and purposes, the true symbol of our city.”
Salvetti concluded his speech with an invitation to be concrete: “The fishing world works in this place. We must look at their real operational needs: decorative little trees are not needed, adequate spaces to work well are needed. At the same time, I appeal to everyone so that, beyond work, there is a constant commitment to maintaining decorum and respect for the rules, combining functionality with an eye for the beauty of our city.”
Commander Raiteri also joined Salvetti’s thanks, emphasizing how the work is a fundamental piece to make our city even more beautiful. This latter message was shared by President Scarpellini: “Behind these results,” she said, “there is the extraordinary work of the managers and technical offices of the AdSP and the Municipality of Livorno; the human factor and an incessant commitment to continuous improvement confirm themselves as indispensable elements. Livorno plays a crucial role as the capital city, but this intervention is part of a system of connections that unites and crosses the entire province down to Piombino. The two ports, in fact, seal the beginning and the end of our continental territory, uniting it in a shared vision of development and work.”
A vision of identity also taken up by Mia Diop, according to whom what has been achieved today testifies to the will of the institutions to strengthen the Livorno identity through the port, the waterfront, and the relationship with the sea. “It is the concrete attempt to reconnect with our origins, uniting the historic port culture with innovation,” she said. “I get emotional seeing a city that, step by step, takes shape and renews itself. This is a beautiful area and I hope that similar works can make even those who come from outside fall in love with Livorno. This space is a common good: I hope that all citizens feel these places as their own and to be protected.”
The ceremony officially concluded with the solemn blessing by the Bishop and the unveiling of the plaque, followed by the symbolic ribbon cutting.
