Mother Church demolished in the 1960s. Great symbol of what happened at the Council.

Mother Church demolished in the 1960s: Tactile reproduction of the ancient facade unveiled

Decades later, a decision that still sparks debate among the citizens of Carmiano: the municipality presents an inclusive monument to tell "the lost history."

Presentation of the tactile reproduction to the public

CARMIANO - A new tactile reproduction commemorates the town's ancient church, demolished in a controversial manner after World War II. Yesterday, July 11, the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the reproduction of the external façade of the ancient mother church took place in Piazza Assunta in Carmiano, following a meeting to explain the project held in the atrium of the town hall.

Now just a tactile memory....

In 1961, the Municipality of Carmiano decided to demolish the ancient mother church due to a dangerous bell tower, thus erasing five centuries of history. The tactile reproduction, strongly supported by the current municipal administration, was created in Lecce stone thanks to the work of the winning firm, "Studio Zero Srl." It is also an inclusive monument, faithfully reproducing the beauty and architectural style of the demolished church, as confirmed by Salvatore Peluso, president of the Italian Union of the Blind, who came to the site for the occasion.

"Ours is a cultural project," said the mayor of Carmiano, Giovanni Erroi. "It's a way to recount the architectural evolution, history, and Christian roots of our city. In 1961, the grave mistake of erasing a historical, architectural, and social monument of great value was made: the tactile monument also aims to be a warning to look forward, starting from our roots and traditions."

"The church was the center of life for the entire community: everything took place there," reflected Deputy Mayor and Councilor for Culture, Stefania Arnesano.

"Starting from the experience of the four gates of Lecce commissioned by the Lecce Santa Croce Lions Club, of which I'm honored to have been a member for a decade, I wanted to bring the experience of Monument for All, designed by engineer Salvatore Calcagnile, to my hometown of Carmiano," explained Councilor for General Affairs, Maria Roberta Indennitate.

"Carmiano continues to be an inclusive and open city: this latest initiative is testament to that," said the Councilor for Welfare, who accompanied a blind fellow citizen in front of the tactile monument. Fabio Maffeo, head of the General Affairs sector, who carried out a meticulous job in realizing the project, also spoke during the presentation. During the day, Annamaria Riccio, president of the Lecce Santa Croce Lions Club, expressed her hope that other Salento municipalities will follow Carmiano's example by developing historical-cultural itineraries and inclusive monuments.

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