Work — Overview
This project aims to improve the park’s infrastructure, accessibility, training, and cultural spaces, while also preserving its rich cultural and natural heritage.
The Dionysion Park project has taken part in the architecture and landscape competition organized by the municipality of Cirò Marina in 2004. This competition aims to develop a recreational area that promotes sports and well-being while also fostering economic activities related to the region’s food and wine traditions, as well as its tourism and environmental potential. The site is located in Cirò Marina, Catanzaro, Italy.
Cirò wine, Magna Grecia history, and the Mediterranean Sea are the key elements of the Park of Dionysios, the Greek god of vegetation, vines, and wine.
This park was established by the city of Cirò Marina and located in the Crimisa Promontorium. as a new green space for the leisure of both residents and tourists in the Cirò area.
The park offers various recreational activities, sports, and wellness opportunities, while also promoting economic activities linked to the region’s wine and food traditions.
Furthermore, it showcases the site’s tourist and environmental potential.
It is designed with four functional areas surrounded by lush vegetation. It provides visitors and schoolchildren with cultural and educational experiences related to the production of Cirò wine and the historical and archaeological significance of the region, including themes from Krimisa, Apollo Aleo, and Greek mythology.
The entire project promotes the use of eco-friendly solutions to establish a sustainable relationship between man and the environment through four key actions: 1) recovery and reuse of rainwater and phytodepuration of grey water. 2) distributed energy generation; 3) building interventions that exploit passive solar thermal gain; 4) electric transport systems.
The park will serve as a starting point for food and wine itineraries, guiding tourists to traditional farms along with their tasting and sales points. The project also incorporates naturalistic experiences with secondary routes. This will facilitate the exploration of vegetation unique to the Mediterranean scrub, allowing it to thrive according to its natural biological rhythms while also being accessible and enjoyable for visitors. The landscape design is enhanced by themed gardens focused on Cirò wine and its ancestor, Cremissa, which was historically given as a celebratory drink to victorious athletes in Olympic competitions.
The design interventions relate to:
- rationalization of the local road network/greenway and footpaths;
- construction of an accomodation/hotel and a training facility;
- extension of the sports area;
- reorganization and qualification of the vegetation and landscape.
- harmonization of the local salt plant.
The project consists of four functional islands:
1. Entertainment and Exhibition island
2. Art and Archaeology island
3. Hospitality and Training island
4. Sports and Entertainment island
