The 1885 Geophysical Observatory in Sentinella hill is for the town of Casamicciola Terme and for the entire island of Ischia a privileged
place of memory.
The structure was founded and directed with competence and professionalism by prof. Giulio Grablovitz, distinguished scientist and honorary citizen of Casamicciola Terme, until 1923, when the Italian State decreed its suppression for economic reasons. We will have to wait until 1940 when prof. Placido Ruggiero, chief engineer of the hydrographic service of the Civil Engineering for Campania, and prof. Cristofaro Mennella started a debate in civil society for the restoration of the structure, also through the establishment of a Committee (1943), made up of eminent scientists, for the relaunch of the Observatory.
In the fifties there was a partial restoration of the structure with the installation of new instruments and the recovery, in part, of the observations by the Vesuvian Observatory and by prof. Cristofaro Mennella who promoted (1954) the establishment of an Experimental Center of Hydroclimatology to start systematic research on the climate of the island of Ischia.
In 1983, on the occasion of the centenary of the earthquake, the Municipality of Casamicciola Terme obtained a concession for the property from the State Property Agency and started its recovery with ups and downs of valorisation and abandonment linked to legal problems with the Grablovitz heirs and with the owner State, as well as internal political problems. In the years that followed, the structure slowly lost its original functions while continuing to be the object of curiosity among the guests of the island who are increasingly showing interest in the ancient instruments.
In 2000, the structure was an integral part of the city museum itinerary, together with the Villa Comunale della Bellavista, and hosted a series of cultural events that allow citizens and guests to learn about the history of the Observatory. In 2001, the restoration and re-functionalization of the former Geophysical Observatory to be used as a multi-purpose Scientific-Educational Center was financed with the Fund for the protection and economic-social development of the smaller islands (Law 448/2001).
In 2007 the recovery of existing volumes expansion project of the monumental complex of the former Geophysical Observatory was approved, currently included in the Park of Financeable Projects of the Campania Region and awaiting funding with POR 2007-2013 funds. Today the structure is given back to the entire community of the island of Ischia which, through the activity of the Civic Museum of Casamicciola Terme, in synergy with public and private bodies and institutions, will finally be able to regain possession of its scientific and cultural function.
Source: http://iluoghidelcuore.it