Casa Fonte (Cuorgnè)
Casa Fonte is the name that, since 7 October 2026, has identified the villa on via Salgari in Cuorgnè, in the Canavese area, a property confiscated from the 'ndrangheta and intended for a «dopo di noi» centre for people with disabilities who lack family support. The facility is named after Renata Fonte, an innocent victim of the mafia.[1][2]
History and confiscation
The villa had belonged to Giovanni Iaria, a figure in the 'ndrangheta active in the Canavese area. The property was seized and, after a lengthy judicial process, definitively confiscated as part of Operation Minotauro, the 2011 investigation that brought to light the 'ndrangheta's cells present in this area.[1]
After the seizure, the villa remained abandoned for years before being assigned to the Municipality of Cuorgnè. Assigning the building required four tender attempts that went unfilled, overcome thanks to cooperation between the municipality, the state and the Piedmont Region.[1]
The works and the naming ceremony
In the months before the ceremony, Libera, the Municipality of Cuorgnè and numerous associations carried out restoration works on the building. The name «Casa Fonte» was chosen through a competition open to students and residents, concluded in May 2026 with the selection of the proposal submitted by a group of students in class 3 A of the Istituto comprensivo 25 Aprile–Faccio, tourism track.[2]
The naming ceremony took place on 7 October 2026 with the participation of don Luigi Ciotti, founder of the Gruppo Abele and of Libera, and Sabrina Matrangola, daughter of Renata Fonte, who unveiled the plaque on the villa's gate. Also present were the regional councillor for confiscated assets Maurizio Marrone, the prefect of Turin Donato Cafagna, the Turin chief of police (Questore) Massimo Gambino, representatives of the Carabinieri and the Guardia di Finanza, and the mayor of Cuorgnè Giovanna Cresto, who described the day as «historic for our city».[1][2]
Intended use
Management of the facility is entrusted to the Mastropietro association, which took part in the assignment tender together with other local bodies including the ASL TO4, the CISS 38 and the Fondazione Ruffini. The building is intended to become a «dopo di noi» centre for the social inclusion of people with disabilities who lack family support.[1][2]
Related articles: Naming of a villa confiscated from the 'ndrangheta in Cuorgnè after Renata Fonte (October 2026)
Sources
- La Stampa — 7 October 2026
- Obiettivo News — 9 October 2026