The former prison is getting a makeover to become a cultural hub. Bars, events, and new challenges in the heart of the city.

“Merry Christmas from all the staff of the former San Vito prison! We inform you that the facility will be closed for internal work for a short period. We look forward to seeing you again soon with many new features.” This is the last sign of life coming from the former City Jail in the city center, which has come back to life in recent months thanks to the intervention of Farm Cultural Park, which has recovered part of the structure returning it to the community after decades of silence and abandonment.

A project wanted by the organization that has long been operating in Favara and Mazzarino thanks to participation in a call issued by the State Property Agency for the three-year management assignment of the portion of the former prison that is now accessible and not restricted due to security issues, which has made headlines and has been received with great affection and interest by the people of Agrigento and beyond.

However, the large building has been closed since before Christmas and will not reopen before summer. This is confirmed by Florinda Saeva, who along with her husband Andrea Bartoli are the souls of Farm and, also, of this new project: “We are carrying out some maintenance work – she explains – but above all we are waiting for some news that can help revitalize the structure and continue with the project of restitution. Some organizations have indeed submitted project proposals to Invitalia to expand the cultural offerings but also in terms of services to be implemented within the former prison. We are waiting to see if they will be approved, but in any case, we will definitely open the gates in June.”

In the initial project idea, in fact, there was consideration of the possibility of hosting a bar or at least a space dedicated to catering within the premises of San Vito, in order to strengthen the attractiveness of the structure, but nothing has yet been decided regarding its overall future. The former prison is indeed too large, largely subject to restrictions as it is recognized as a monumental asset, lacking in many areas the conditions required for public buildings to allow public access. With the idea of museumification abandoned, we can only hope for the goodwill of private individuals and, honestly, their martyrdom vocation.