The seaport of San Benedetto del Tronto (Marche). The recovery of its history and possible development

The seaport of San Benedetto del Tronto, whose infrastructures represented one of the most important assets of the Marche region, is currently in a state of decline. In ancient times, fishing boats landed directly on the beach, with a significant waste of time and resources. In the early years of the XXth century, two small structures (the northern and the southern pier), were build perpendicular to the coastline. Between the 1930 and the 1939, motor boats became widely used; the seaport was significantly rearranged for these ships that needed a flat water basin, a deeper sea bottom and accessible docks. Between the 1940 and the 1945 the port and the whole navy of San Benedetto were struck by severe bombings. During the post-war period, the damaged piers were rebuild while the fishing fleet, almost totally destroyed, were reformed. In the 60s, the fleet was further developed in order to expand its activity to Mediterranean and Oceanic routes. As a result, new modifications were carried out to the port. On March 30th 1968, the Municipality issued the Proposta di Aggiornamento del Piano Regolatore e Ampliamento del Porto di San Benedetto del Tronto. However, due to the fishing activities’ decrease, this plan had a limited effectiveness. It is now necessary to carefully reconsider the situation and the conservation of the port facilities together with the regeneration of the entire area, through the rediscovery of the fishing traditions, seen as a part of food and wine and touristic systems.