Luigi Giura, political personality and Arbëresh engineer, passed away . He was born in Maschiti (it. Maschito), province of Potenza (Bazilika), on October 14, 1795. He completed his first studies at the school of fathers “Calasanzio”. He completed his university studies in Naples. At the age of 16, he studied as an external student at the school of bridge and road construction, but also of hydraulic works. In 1817 he received the title “First Class Engineer”. Until 1860, Luigji Gjura created magnificent works, such as: aqueducts, roads, bridges, buildings, church altars, etc. Undertook the two major engineering works previously unrealized in Italy, such as the bridge with iron elements over the Garigliano River (Minturno, 1828–1832) and the restoration of a Roman-era bridge in Abruco (1825–1835). After the fall of the French Bourbons, in September of 1860, Gjura was appointed Minister of Public Works by Giuseppe Garibaldi, becoming the third important Arberesh in this government, along with Francesco Crispi and Pascal Skura. His name became well known as a professional, both inside and outside of Italy and, above all, as a cultured, honest and big-hearted man. (In the photo: Luigi Giura)
Text: Center of Studies and Publications for Arbëreshët, Tirana.
Photo: © https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luigi_Giura
Graphic processing: AHCF
