Naples’ Historic Monuments Under Siege: Graffiti and Neglect Spark Urgent Calls for Action
Naples, January 22, 2026 – A red stripe snakes around the elliptical basin of the 16th-century Fontana della Scapigliata in Forcella, a stark symbol of the escalating vandalism plaguing Naples’ historic center. This act of ‘playful incivility’ is increasingly common, appearing on numerous monuments and ancient buildings, prompting urgent calls from local associations for immediate intervention to protect the city’s millennial heritage.
The latest defacement of the Fontana della Scapigliata, while ironically resembling festive decorations, is merely the most recent ‘gift’ from a passing graffitist. This trend highlights a perceived lack of public consciousness regarding common good and insufficient controls. However, activists emphasize the pressing need to address the damage before the humiliating paints permanently obscure the city’s historical treasures.
Protocol for Decorum: A Solution in Sight?
Associations dedicated to safeguarding Neapolitan cultural sites are urging the Municipality and the Superintendence to swiftly activate a ‘decorum protocol,’ currently under evaluation. This protocol aims to initiate a comprehensive program for cleaning the defaced surfaces. Francesco Muzio, president of Angeli del Bello, a volunteer association that has already cleaned numerous historical surfaces, explains, “To regain the decorum of these monuments, it is important that the Municipality follows up on the memorandum of understanding we proposed, similar to models in Florence and Verona, to intervene on protected assets.”
Muzio further elaborated on the proposed collaboration: “We met with Ciro Turiello, the mayor’s delegate for urban decorum, agreeing on the usefulness of an agreement with the Superintendence, private entities, and public companies, particularly Asìa and Napoli Servizi, who could provide the necessary cleaning materials.” He added that the phenomenon also requires a cultural approach, with continuous work in schools to raise awareness among young people about heritage preservation.
Beyond Graffiti: Neglect and Deterioration
The issue extends beyond mere graffiti. Many of the newly vandalized sites, like the Fontana della Scapigliata, already suffer from pre-existing neglect and deterioration. Despite its restoration in 2020, the fountain often runs dry, and when it does contain water, it frequently turns into a green swamp. Furthermore, the basin is damaged in several places and is losing pieces. The small square where it stands often hosts homeless individuals, surrounded by an inevitable array of waste and dog excrement.
This pervasive neglect creates an environment where drawings and scribbles proliferate like weeds. The destructive spray cans have also targeted the ancient marble remains of vico San Nicola a Nilo, transformed into a carnival-like grotto, as well as Roman fragments of the Pietrasanta bell tower and many other UNESCO World Heritage sites in the historic center. These include the battered fountains of Moricino in Piazza Mercato and the 19th-century colonnade in Piazza del Plebiscito, which remains in perpetual need of requalification.
Prevention and Punishment: The Missing Pieces
Giuseppe Serroni of ‘Sedili di Napoli’ stresses that while cleaning is crucial, it is insufficient without serious vigilance. “Because cleaning is fundamental but serves little purpose,” he states, “if preventive and repressive solutions are not found, imposing the sanctions provided by law on eco-vandals.” This sentiment underscores the need for a multi-faceted approach that combines restoration efforts with stronger enforcement and public education.
The activation of the decorum protocol and a renewed commitment to both cleaning and protecting Naples’ invaluable cultural heritage are seen as essential steps to prevent further degradation and ensure that these historical treasures can be enjoyed by future generations. The city’s rich history and architectural beauty are at stake, demanding immediate and sustained action from all stakeholders.
