The new SPAZIO MEFITE Interpretation Centre – ‘Atlas of the Waters of the Upper Tammaro River’ - officially opened last Friday 26 June 2026 in Santa Croce del Sannio (Benevento, Italy) thanks to the cooperation between WAMU+NET, the association Paese dell’Acqua, the local Municipalities of Santa Croce del Sannio and Sassinoro, ALDA and other partners. The centre has been co-designed in particular by WAMU+NET in collaboration with its member Paese dell’Acqua, marking the network’s first official initiative in creating a local visitor centre focused on water heritage.
Rooted in the local territory, the Centre explores the Tammaro River through its historical, geographical, and hydrogeological context, while highlighting local biodiversity, and hydraulic historical infrastructures. The Centre has been developed thanks to the support of Italy’s national Borghi PNRR Programme which is aimed at revitalising small towns through culture and sustainable tourism.
The ‘Spazio Mefite’ Water Interpretation Centre is divided into eight sections and, for the first time, features a space entirely dedicated to the WAMU+NET network and its members, showcasing the most prestigious projects carried out by the network itself in recent years. The first five sections are devoted to exploring local ecosystems and rivers and the interaction with local communities: from the historical and environmental context of the Upper Tammaro Valley to the rich hydraulic heritage, featuring monumental fountains and village washhouses, which were central to the agro-pastoral way of life; from the flora and fauna to the ancient geological history of the Matese massif, which can now be explored on foot thanks to two new digital itineraries.
The river ecosystem is then presented in all its rich multifunctionality, with particular emphasis on the precious and irreplaceable ecosystem services that every watercourse provides free of charge. Next, the Rights of Nature and rivers as ‘legal entities’ are explained. Best practices in ‘community-based water management’ range from the experiences of local communities to international initiatives, all aimed at defending water as a ‘common good’.
The exhibition concludes with three sections dedicated to the WAMU+NET network: “The Voices of Water”, featuring eight short films on traditional water technologies produced for the 10th WWF in Bali, which are today also part of UNESCO’s Virtual Science Museum. Also on display is a selection of the winning entries (drawings and videos) from the first six editions of the international “The Water We Want” competition. And, for the first time, a large touchscreen allows visitors to explore all 120+ members in over 40 countries that form part of the WAMU+NET network.
Download here the brochure
Photo Above: Monumental Fountain of Santa Croce del Sannio (copyright: E. Di Maria)