Italian city bans sale of mafia souvenirs

• Agrigento has banned the sale of mafia souvenirs ahead of its nomination as Capital of Culture.
• The mayor wants to improve the city’s image and counter the influence of the mafia on tourism.
• Similar rules apply to gift shops at local airports and on ferries docking around Sicily.

The Sicilian city of Agrigento has decided to ban mafia memorabilia in the run-up to its title as Italian Capital of Culture in 2025.

The ban, issued by the city’s mayor, Francesco Miccichè, is intended to make it clear that the criminal organisation will not be tolerated by local authorities.

Agrigento is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to archaeological remains dating back to the sixth century BC, but the city is still associated with the mafia.

Characters from the film “The Godfather” have been depicted on magnets and ceramics, Italian news channel Sky TG24 reported.

The Mafia, also known as Cosa Nostra, is still active on the island, and has been since the 19th century.

The ban on souvenir shops is the latest in a series of measures to curb the destination’s ties to the mafia.

In 2023, the regional government ordered ferries docking around Sicily to stop selling mafia items in on-board souvenir shops.

According to local newspaper La Sicilia, Alessandro Aricò, the councillor responsible for transport and infrastructure, has also ordered the island’s airports to stop offering these types of souvenirs, in a bid to tackle negative stereotypes.

If local police find items believed to glorify the mafia, fines can be issued.

Business Insider reached out to Agrigento Mayor Francesco Miccichè and Councillor Alessandro Aricò for comment but has not yet received a response.