After being buried under the ashes of Vesuvius for almost 2.000 years, Pompeii managed to rise again - becoming one of the most famous historical sites and tourist attractions in the world.
However, over the past decade – under the burden of 2,3 million visitors each year – Pompeii has remained badly neglected. This situation is best illustrated by the collapse of the House of Gladiators in 2010.
"We were amazed when the walls collapsed," said the distinguished archaeologist Andrea Carandini, who emphasized the urgent need for its restoration.
The battle to save Pompeii, however, is threatened by another enemy in the form of the Neapolitan mafia. Some connoisseurs of the situation fear that another miracle will be needed to get her out of the clutches of the mafia.
Last week, investigators announced the launch of an investigation into alleged mafia involvement in the restoration of Pompeii, in which the Italian government and the European Union are investing 105 million euros.
After decades of "neglect and poor maintenance", the ancient city needs careful restoration - and a lot of money to fund it. A total of €105 million was to be spent on a modern underground drainage system, with scanners to identify problem areas (heavy rainfall is thought to be the main culprit for many of the recent collapses) as well as the restoration and reopening of key parts of the city. In 1956, 64 structures in Pompeii were available to the public; no more than five today.
The bill for one contract, agreed at less than 500.000 euros, mysteriously grew to five million. Even the generosity of the EU does not go that far, the "Independent" points out.
The bill for one contract, agreed at less than 500.000 euros, mysteriously grew to five million. Even the generosity of the EU does not go that far, the "Independent" points out.
At the beginning of February, Anamaria Kakavo, the owner of the restoration company that was awarded the eight million euro contract for the Teatro grande, was under house arrest. The engineers who worked on that project were blacklisted and the material of dubious quality used for the restoration of the said building was confiscated.
One of the officials under investigation for alleged abuse of office is Marcello Fiori, the UNESCO special commissioner who oversaw the restoration of Pompeii from August 2008 to July 2010.
But the problem was not prevented by accusing a few managers of illegally lining their pockets. Something far more serious is lurking in the shadows – Kamora. Only 15 km away is Naples, the base of the Chamber, which has a stake in everything from narcotics to construction projects to waste collection.
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Ana Marija Kankeljeri, boasted earlier in an interview: "We achieved outstanding results by implementing a protocol that guarantees the safety and development of important projects." We achieved that with the Expo, with Pompeii and the reconstruction of Emilia Romagna after the earthquake".
Adding to these fears, a small army of carabinieri, financial police and officials led by Mariolina Gioglia, head of the local anti-mafia unit, marched into Pompeii last week in search of evidence of Camorra activity.
Adding to these fears, a small army of carabinieri, financial police and officials led by Mariolino Giolla, head of the local anti-mafia unit, marched into Pompeii last week in search of evidence of Camorra activity.
Investigators checked documents, field activities and worker identities for signs of organized crime.
Activists in that Italian region have no doubt what investigators will find if they just scratch beneath the surface.
"There is no doubt that Camorra will try to take advantage," said Fabio Giuliani, spokesman for the anti-mafia organization Libera.
However, the spokeswoman for the European Commissioner for Regional Affairs told "The Independent" that she is sure that the mafia will not lay a finger on their money.
"We have a very strong system," Shirin Wheeler said.
"The manager will be carefully monitored by the three Italian ministries - culture, interior and regional development - but also the European Commission, institutions that have invested their credibility in this project"
Wasn't former UNESCO Special Commissioner Marcello Fiori - currently under investigation - also appointed by Rome?
"The manager will be closely monitored by the three Italian ministries - culture, interior and regional development - but also the European Commission, institutions that have invested their credibility in this project," said Wheeler.
Experts believe that concerns about corruption and organized crime should not distract from the state's failure to care for its unique cultural heritage. Among them is Antonio Irlando, head of the Observatory for Cultural Heritage.
"Is Camorra the cause of all the problems and the decline of Pompeii? Maybe some. But she is certainly not responsible for everything," said Irlando and added that the solution is "everyday careful monitoring" - which the authorities have apparently not been doing in recent decades.
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