The official web domain for the historic Mole Vanvitelliana in Ancona has been snapped up by an online casino, leaving visitors potentially misled by outdated event information. The domain, www.lamoleancona.it, now redirects to a gambling site, despite still hosting details about past cultural initiatives such as the “Sacred Terra” exhibition, which ran until 2023.
Ancona’s Landmark Website Hijacked by Online Casino
Former officials cite lapsed domain renewal; current administration vows legal action.
ANCONA, Italy — A peculiar situation has unfolded in Ancona, Italy, where the digital presence of the iconic Mole Vanvitelliana, a monument undergoing lengthy renovations, has fallen into the hands of an online casino. The official web domain, www.lamoleancona.it, now greets curious visitors with gambling promotions instead of cultural information.
This alarming development was first flagged on Facebook by former Councilor for Culture Paolo Marasca. He explained that the domain expired at the beginning of the year. Despite administrators being notified to renew it, the renewal apparently didn’t happen, allowing brokers and casino operators to acquire the valuable web address. This oversight means tourists searching for information about the Mole could be easily deceived by the outdated event listings still present on the site, mixed in with the casino’s offerings.
What happened to the Mole Vanvitelliana website? The domain expired and was purchased by a casino operator, who now uses it for online gambling while retaining old event data.
Current Councilor for Culture Marta Paraventh confirmed she was aware of the issue, having been informed two months prior. She stated that upon learning about the domain’s new ownership, she immediately contacted the councilor for information technology, Antonella Andreoli. Lawyers are now involved, with the municipal administration asserting that the site, in its current state, is unacceptable.
Behind the Lapse: Funding and Management Challenges
The reason for the domain’s neglect stems from the closure of the Mole Fund, which previously managed the website. According to Paraventh, once the structure was closed, the necessary staff and funding to maintain the site disappeared. While the information was archived, the administration was slow to act.
“Honestly, having received the assignment for a year already started and only in May the funds, I did not make it to fix everything for this summer,” Paraventh admitted, explaining the delay in launching a new platform. She assured that a new, bilingual (Italian and English) website is slated for completion by 2025. This new site will feature cultural activities, exhibitions, events, and conference offerings.
In the interim, a paper program will be available for the upcoming summer, following similar initiatives for local amphitheater and cinema events, which also included information about the Homer Museum and other exhibitions.
Legal Action Underway
Giorgio Foglia, manager of the information service, confirmed that the matter has been handed over to the legal department to pursue all possible actions to protect the entity. The administration is determined to rectify the situation and reclaim a proper digital presence for the historic landmark.
- The official web domain for Ancona’s Mole Vanvitelliana was purchased by an online casino after its renewal deadline was missed.
- The hijacked website still displays outdated event information, potentially misleading tourists.
- A former cultural councilor highlighted the issue, citing lapsed domain renewal as the cause.
- The current administration is pursuing legal action and plans to launch a new official website by 2025.
