The recovery of the historical artefact was ordered by the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape of Bari, following a report from the Air Force.
This morning, an anchor, presumably dating back to the 1930s, was recovered in the waters off the coast of the Torre a Mare Extraordinary Detachment of the Italian Air Force. This anchor was used in those years for mooring the military seaplanes that trained in this stretch of sea.
41° 05’ 04.7”N – 17° 01’ 13.7”E are the geolocation coordinates relating to the find. The recovery operations were arranged by the Superintendency for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Metropolitan City of Bari, following a report from the Air Force and in synergy and coordination with the ship “ARIETE” operated by a specialised company in the sector.
The artefact has been taken into the care of the Superintendence for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Metropolitan City of Bari and will be temporarily housed at the Extraordinary Detachment of the Air Force, where the first conservation interventions will be carried out in collaboration with the National Superintendence for Underwater Cultural Heritage. In agreement with the Superintendence, possible forms of use and enhancement of the historical anchor recovered will be assessed.
Colonel Maurizio Ortenzi, Commander of the Headquarters of the Air Force Schools and 3rd Air Region Command, to which the Detachment reports, while thanking all those involved in the recovery, highlighted that “this discovery testifies to and reminds us of the strong historical bond between the Air Force and the city of Bari, just a few months before the centenary of the founding of our Armed Force. Through the preservation and enhancement of our past, all the values, history, and traditions of an Air Force that is increasingly keeping pace with the times and is geared towards continuous innovation are highlighted.”.
Arch. Giovanna Cacudi, Superintendent of the Superintendence for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Metropolitan City of Bari, underlined “the importance of fruitful collaboration between institutions in protecting cultural heritage”, thanking the General Headquarters of the Air Force Schools Command and the 3rd Air Force Region for their willingness.
The Headquarters of the Air Force Schools Command / 3rd Air Region, located at the Military Airport of Bari Palese, has the task of ensuring the logistical-administrative support and the security of the installations of the Schools Command itself in Bari and of the numerous bodies and departments present at Bari Palese Military Airport.
The Air Force Schools Command/3rd Air Region is one of the three top commands of the Armed Force. It ensures the selection, recruitment, military, cultural and professional training of the Air Force and flight training, at an international level of excellence, by studying and adopting innovative teaching and training methodologies focused on the learner and informed by innovation, creativity, optimisation of human and material resources, environmental sustainability, and constant collaboration with institutions and the local area for the benefit of the community.
The Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio for the Metropolitan City of Bari is a peripheral body of the Ministry of Culture (MIC).
The Superintendence is responsible for a complex range of protective activities which include: familiarisation with the archaeological, architectural, historical, artistic, ethno-anthropological, and landscape heritage; verification and declaration of its significance; maintenance and restoration activities; authorisation and oversight of interventions of any kind on protected assets; and the promotion of studies, research, cultural initiatives, and training, including in collaboration with the Regions, universities, and cultural institutions.
