Italians Tilting Windmills and Defending the Legacy of Mona Lisa
In the heart of picturesque Valmarecchia, where according to scholars Leonardo da Vinci captured the backdrop for his most famous painting, the Mona Lisa, a dispute has flared up over the future of the landscape. The planned installation of wind turbines in Badia Tedalda has sparked a wave of protests, raising questions about whether the development of renewable energy sources can go hand in hand with the protection of cultural heritage. Will green energy dominate the Renaissance landscapes, or will history defend its rights?
In the spring of 2025, the Tuscan authorities approved a project to install wind turbines in the area of Badia Tedalda in the province of Arezzo . This picturesque place, known as Alta Valmarecchia, is the backdrop for Leonardo da Vinci's famous Mona Lisa, according to research by geomorphologist Olivia Nesci and artist Rosetta Borchia.
It should come as no surprise that for many residents of Tuscany , and indeed the whole of Italy, this place has great historical and cultural significance. As a result, the decision to build the turbines was met with strong opposition from the authorities of the neighboring region of Emilia-Romagna. The mayor of Rimini, Jamil Sadegholvaad, criticized the project, calling it a "terrible way to approach the issue of renewable energy sources."
Picturesque landscapes of Tuscany / ShutterstockHe stressed that the decision was taken without consulting the authorities of Emilia-Romagna and contrary to the opinions of environmental and cultural heritage protection associations.
The president of the Emilia-Romagna region, Michele de Pascale, expressed regret over the lack of dialogue between the regions and announced the possibility of taking legal action to block the project.
Mona Lisa landscape in danger?The project , which envisages the construction of seven 200-meter-high turbines, has raised many concerns and controversies. The media noted that the area where the tall turbines are planned to be built has been a subject of dispute for centuries, and the local office for the protection of monuments and landscapes drew attention to the uniqueness of the scenery, which has inspired artists and poets for centuries.
