May 16, 2008
The doors of Villa Celestina in Castiglioncello reopen tomorrow. An important example of Italian Rationalism, the villa occupies a splendid position, facing the sea, between the pine forest and the cliffs. The building owes its current form to architect Vittorio Cafiero from Rome, one of the most prestigious names of his epoch. The decline of Villa Celestina, which reduced it to a state of near decrepitude, had begun in the 80s when, following various functional destinations, it was closed for safety reasons. In 1998, the State Property Administration granted the structure to the Commune of Rosignano Marittimo which began restoration, thanks to a joint agreement with the University of Pisa and the Ministry of the Environment.
The premises of the first and second basement floors will be destined to the Laboratory of Ecology and Marine Biology, which will become a veritable detached headquarters of the Department of Biology of the University of Pisa. Direct access to the sea indeed makes the building particularly suited for the research activity that will be conducted there.
The premises of the elevated floor will instead continue to be used by the Commune of Rosignano Marittimo which will set up a Centre for Environmental Education and organise courses, small conferences and other public events.