In the small town of Salorno, in the heart of South Tyrol, the decision to reserve a public swimming pool for one hour every week for a group of Muslim women has triggered a heated cultural and political discussion. The initiative, spearheaded by the facility's manager with the support of local mayor Roland Lazzeri and a local cultural association, was launched with the goal of promoting the well-being and inclusion of female citizens who would not otherwise use the facility during regular hours, including the ability for them to wear burkinis. Nevertheless, the measure immediately elicited reactions in the national public debate, as exemplified by the Lega political party and MEP Silvia Sardone, who denounced it as a form of segregation and subjugation rather than genuine integration. The incident serves as a testament to the intricate nature with which contemporary Italian society and its local administrations maintain the delicate equilibrium between the preservation of cultural identity and the observance of traditions and rights in public spaces.