South Italian Stonarata, once almost empty, in Italy’s Apulia region is now experiencing a cultural revival. It all began in 2017, when local artist Lino Lombardi launched the street art festival Stramurales. Over the following years, the town added more than 140 murals—large-scale wall paintings—created by artists from around the world.
Since 2020, the number of visitors has grown by 25%, and new cafés, restaurants, and an art-supplies shop have opened. But most importantly, young families have started to return, and the population decline has stopped. Murals inspired by the town’s history and local residents have become more than just decoration—they have become a foundation for restoring city life. Residents take part in selecting the themes for the murals. The next festival was held in July, with participating artists also coming from other European countries.
Art can indeed energize places. In Stonarata, it is not just a metaphor. The town’s story has already become an example for other Italian towns struggling with population decline and economic slowdown.
Source: Good News Network
URL of source: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/italian-ghost-town-rescued-by-instagramable-street-art-which-attracts-thousands/
Source date: 2025-06-30T16:08:49.283Z
