The Corso or main street is a road of shops and artisan workshops in Rogliano, which is in the Savuto Valley in Calabria, on the toe of southern Italy. This area has traditionally been looked down upon by Italians as a poor and uncreative place riddled by mafia corruption.
There is an ongoing participatory art project of roof tile painting referred to as the ‘Tegole Parlanti’ (Talking roof tiles) project in the historic ‘old’ areas of the town (see Fig 1).
Fig 1: Alleyway off Corso, Rogliano
People donate terracotta roof tiles to the organisation Rogliano Vicolo Annunciato ( ‘Rogliano’s Announced Alleys’) which are then painted and displayed in the alleys and nooks along areas of the old town. Local volunteers and artists paint pictures that tell a story.
The art work includes, for example, fun paintings and playful mimicry of abstract artists like Mondrian (see Fig 2).
Fig 2: After Mondrian
Along with expressionist scenes reminiscent of Edvard Munch ‘The Scream’ with a mother rushing away with her child from the volcanic explosion behind. Below the painting is a portrait of Jesus inviting the notion that the mother and child are a modern reconstruction of the Madonna and baby Jesus dressed as modern-day Italians (see Fig 3).
Fig 3: After Munch’s Scream situated above a Portrait of Jesus
Also, there is folk and esoteric art including a mysterious tower with a highlighted dark entrance overlooking the sea with what appears to be a medieval shield. The entrance takes you into the tower with three windows presumably for three rooms, which scene allows the viewer to imagine and create their own narrative (see Fig 4).
Fig 4: Tower Overlooking the Sea
Much art is sold to locals and people brandish the artwork with local pride. The roof tile art is then displayed on the interior and exterior walls of their homes with an eclectic range of styles adding colour and vitality to the homes and town.
The idea developed from a community arts project in the town, and the organisation known as Rogliano Vicola Annunciato (‘Rogliano’s Announced Alley’) accept donated terracotta tiles, and those that have been painted and returned to the town from artists outside the area. A lovely example of participatory art and means to uplift and regenerate a part of the town.
References
"Tegole Parlanti", the Call to the Arts from Rogliano to the Villages of Savuto, available at https://www.meravigliedicalabria.it/tegole-parlanti-la-chiamata-alle-arti-da-rogliano-ai-borghi-del-savuto/, accessed Aug 25, 2026.
The Voice of Savuto, available at https://www.lavocedelsavuto.it/site/index.php/attualita/2038-rogliano-tegole-parlanti-l-associazione-vicolo-annunciata-aps-propone-un-percorso-culturale-diffuso-tra-i-borghi-della-valle, accessed Aug 25, 2026.