Parco Scianatico
(20th century)
Parco Scianatico is not just a green space, but a living monument representing the combination of the sweat and toil of factory life and the dream of a peaceful haven. The park lies in the shadow of the Acciaierie e Ferriere Pugliesi, a vast steelworks which closed down at the end of the 20th century.
One of the owners of the factory, Michele Scianatico and his brothers had seen how factory work affected the lives of the workers and their families. The guarantee of a salary was no longer enough; the workers needed free time facilities. It was therefore decided that an area adjacent to the factory would be transformed into a recreational centre.
The park developed around a concrete area designed for tournaments of volleyball, football and bowls, but soon became a skating rink. The local children were attracted to the beauty of this sport and the rink soon became a meeting place. Under the enthusiastic leadership of Gianni Massari, skating took on a new dimension. Massari inspired the athletes to form a team: AFP Giovinazzo, and what started off as a simple free time activity soon became legendary.
Affiliated to the Italian Hockey and Rollerskating federation, AFP Giovinazzo became famous not just on a national level but also internationally. The team has won the world title twice and numerous European championships. Giovinazzo became a beacon of excellence in skating and the team became a symbol of pride and determination for the whole town.
At the entrance to the park there is an inscription carved into the cement which sums up commitment and decency: “Prepare yourself seriously and fight with courage and loyalty. If you make a mistake, recognise your mistake and accept the suitable punishment. If you win graciously, recognise and admire the courage of the loser. If you lose, accept the verdict and be proud to know you deserve the admiration of those luckier than you.” Guidelines for a generation of young athletes, not just at the park but the town in general, teaching them the true meaning of sportsmanship and fair play.
