Appeal for Wayspot Nomination – “Madonna dell’Arco” Votive Shrine (Acerra, Campania)
English Version
Dear Niantic Team,
I would like to request a new review of my nomination for the votive shrine dedicated to the Madonna dell’Arco, located at Via Mura di Piombo 34, Acerra (NA).
The nomination was rejected for the following reasons:
- Alleged placement on private residential property not accessible to the public
- Alleged lack of uniqueness or cultural/historical significance
I would like to provide accurate clarifications regarding both points.
1. Accessibility and Location: It is NOT on private property
The votive shrine is not located inside a private residential area.
It stands on an open public forecourt, adjacent to a local flower shop (“La Casa dei Fiori”) frequently visited by residents heading to the cemetery.
The area is freely accessible to anyone:
- no gates
- no fences
- no barriers
Anyone can approach the shrine, stop, pray, or take photos.
It is not private property, nor does it require any special permission to reach.
2. Cultural, Historical, and Social Significance
Votive shrines are deeply rooted in Campanian tradition and represent a recognized cultural heritage.
This particular shrine dedicated to the Madonna dell’Arco:
- is well maintained and decorated with fabrics and flowers
- contains a statue of the Madonna with Child, a symbol of popular devotion
- serves as a religious reference point for local residents
- hosts a small prayer group that gathers every Saturday and Sunday
These elements confirm that this is not a generic object, but a living, meaningful place for the community, fully aligned with Wayspot criteria:
- locations that encourage exploration
- points of local cultural interest
- spaces that foster social gathering
3. Community Value
The shrine is a landmark for anyone passing through the area, including residents and visitors heading to the cemetery.
Its inclusion as a Wayspot would:
- highlight an authentic element of local culture
- encourage exploration of the territory
- provide a safe and accessible point for players
Conclusion
Given all the above, I kindly request a new evaluation of the nomination.
The Madonna dell’Arco votive shrine is:
- publicly accessible
- culturally significant
- a real gathering point
- clearly visible and safe to reach
I believe it fully meets the criteria for acceptance as a Wayspot.
Thank you for your attention.
I remain available for any further clarification.
Kind regards,
Simone Coda
Niantic’s Note (Translated)
“Thanks for the appeal, Wayfinder! We could not verify the existence of this object at the specified location, so we are unable to reverse the decision. We recommend resubmitting the nomination with a supporting image showing the object and its location with respect to the background, or additional text information to confirm its location/existence.”
Reviewers indicated the following reasons for rejection:
-
The location does not match the photos and/or the map
-
The nomination appears to be on private property not accessible to the public
“I truly didn’t know I was part of the ‘Cat’s Eye’ gang, apparently capable of entering private properties unnoticed.”
