Piazza della Libertà inaugurated in Salerno in the presence of the President of the Region, Vincenzo De Luca, and the mayor, Vincenzo Naples; great curiosity and expectation on the part of hundreds of citizens who arrived in the "Crescent" area to visit the "square by the sea." – the governor said – largest and most beautiful in Italy and Europe. A work like this is created in every Italy 500 years". President De Luca told the story of the square, at first relying on a video about what was there before: decay, night shop and disused industries. Has explained: “These have been tough years for me and my children, Piero and Roberto. As you know, in this country it takes enormous effort to create a public work, sometimes acts of heroism. I have achieved a life goal, I linked my life to this work. I have never been discouraged, at no time. Those were tough years. ”ADVERTISING

Fifteen years to dream of a different city and to make it happen, «To make an average southern city, 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 to claim the autonomy and pride of Salerno in the face of 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, DeLuca says. "There hasn't been any great work in Italy that has been so popular and that has involved our fellow citizens so much, about 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. Meanwhile, we have given the city of Salerno others 500 meters of waterfront ». ADVERTISEMENT The car park will be active in forty days, before the Artist's Lights, "Why, I wish, we will do the Artist's Lights this year ", he has declared. “And tourists – added De Luca – they will get off from the Stazione Marittima 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 for commercial activities are linked to this square, for parking management. An extraordinary work has been done ".

Tomorrow – explained the mayor – the patron saint's mass will be celebrated here, St. Matthew: “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 Secretary of State Parolin will celebrate tomorrow at 18 the pontifical of San Matteo.