{"id":6786,"date":"2023-05-17T21:48:52","date_gmt":"2023-05-17T20:48:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in-italy.eu\/uncategorized\/18-maggio-giornata-internazionale-dei-musei\/"},"modified":"2023-12-14T15:32:40","modified_gmt":"2023-12-14T14:32:40","slug":"may-18th-international-museum-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in-italy.eu\/en\/in-mostra-en\/may-18th-international-museum-day\/","title":{"rendered":"May 18th: International Museum Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a country like Italy that is an authentic open-air museum<\/strong>, a living art history book<\/strong>, International Museum Day<\/strong> could only be worthy of attention. Let’s discover this day that has now become a ritual together!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The origin of International Museum Day<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Since 1977<\/strong>, May 18th<\/strong> has been a worldwide celebration of culture and promotion of museum heritage. Sponsored by ICOM<\/strong>, International Council of Museums<\/em>, the commemoration comprises initiatives worldwide involving thousands and thousands of museums and archaeological sites<\/strong> on all continents. Since its inception, the purpose of this day has been to preserve the collective memory<\/strong> represented by artistic and cultural heritage<\/strong> on an international scale. Some 30,000 museums are in over 100 countries, meaning a network without borders or barriers.<\/p>\n

The theme for the 2023 edition<\/a>\u00a0 is “Museums, Sustainability and Well-Being<\/strong>,” precisely to emphasise the crucial role of museums in protecting the environment, promoting inclusion, tackling isolation and fostering mental health. In other words, it is a panacea that does more than enhance our backgrounds and strengthen the bonds between ethnicities and cultures with a focus on development, comparison and mutual exchange.<\/p>\n

From North to South, including the islands, Italy is dotted with numerous events that can be found at the following link<\/a> to the interactive map.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Curiosities about Italian Museums<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Italy is teeming with museums. As many as 4,976<\/strong> of them are divided between museums<\/strong>, galleries<\/strong>, archaeological areas<\/strong> and parks<\/strong>, individual monuments<\/strong>, poles<\/strong> or monumental complexes<\/strong>. According to the most recent data from Istat (the Italian national statistical institute), this means 1 museum for every 50 square kilometres<\/strong>, almost 1 for every 6,000 inhabitants<\/strong>. Central Italy<\/strong> is the area that boasts the most significant number,<\/strong> or 1,417 structures<\/strong>. Despite what one might think, the region with the most number of museums is not Lazio, with Rome Caput Mundi<\/em>: the national record belongs to Tuscany<\/strong>, which has as many as 548<\/strong>. Come on, forget the statistics; let’s get into the very heart of our journey!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The first public Museum in History <\/strong><\/h3>\n

They are located in Rome, almost next to the Altar of the Fatherland<\/strong> in Piazza Venezia. Yes, we are talking about the Capitoline Museums on Campidoglio<\/strong>, a.k.a. the Capitoline Hill. Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere<\/strong> “launched” a complex that stands, even today, as a museum hub of enormous value and richness. The pope gifted the Roman people with a group of statues to be admired in all their magnificence:\u00a0 the She-wolf, the Spinario or the Boy with Thorn, the Camillus, and the enormous head of Constantine, with the globe and the hand.<\/p>\n

\"The
The Capitoline wolf, the symbol of Rome<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another symbol is the copy of Marco Aurelio’s equestrian statue<\/strong> standing in the square’s centre, while the original is held inside. The complex includes the Palazzo dei Conservatori<\/strong>, the seat of the magistrates of ancient Rome, whose rooms are frescoed by the most outstanding exponents of the Renaissance and Mannerism; the Pinacoteca<\/strong>, which houses numerous paintings, including Caravaggio, Tiziano and Rubens; and the Tabularium<\/strong>, an age-old public state archive.<\/p>\n

\"Marco
Marco Aurelio’s equestrian statue, Piazza del Campidoglio<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beyond the splendid view of the Roman Forum<\/strong>, the Capitoline Museums boast an unquestioned and absolute world record in human history<\/strong>. If art fruition was originally the exclusive prerogative of the nobles who competed to show off the greatest possession of works, things finally changed thanks to Pope Clement XII Corsini in 1734<\/strong>. A museum was opened to the public for the first time to share art and cultural heritage with the entire community<\/strong>. Did the Enlightenment ideas catch on? The fact is that the origin of museums as they are understood today, and not as private collections, is an Italian invention.<\/p>\n

\"Piazza
Piazza del Campidoglio, Rome<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

The International Museum Day in Italy’s 10 Most Visited Museums<\/h2>\n

10. Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli<\/b> (the National Archaeological Museum of Naples) is one of Italy’s most celebrated and visited museums<\/b>. Thanks to its collections, with enormous historical and cultural value, it is definitely one of the most remarkable sites of interest on a global scale<\/b>. This fascinating reality is <\/span>a real journey in the ancient world<\/b>.<\/p>\n

\"Museo
Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

9. Villa Adriana and Villa D’Este<\/strong>, Tivoli (Rome): slightly more than 30 km East of Rome<\/strong>, in the Tiburtini Mountains, Tivoli<\/strong> is the cradle of two authentic masterpieces of beauty and evidence of a glorious past. Villa Adriana<\/strong>, the extra-urban residence of Emperor Hadrian<\/strong>, is an extraordinary complex of buildings and structures realised with great genius, respecting the will of a man endowed with unique culture and sensitivity.<\/p>\n

\"Canopus,
Canopus, Villa Adriana (Tivoli)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The nearby Villa d’Este<\/strong>, on the other hand, was commissioned by Cardinal Ippolito d’Este<\/strong> in the mid-16th century<\/strong> following his disappointment at not being elected to the papal throne. He poured the splendour of Ferrara, Fontainebleau and Rome courts into this grandiose hydraulic engineering project<\/strong>. The cardinal intended to evoke Villa Adriana’s majestic grandeur through grottoes<\/strong>, nymphaea<\/strong>, suggestive water games<\/strong>, and spectacular sound effects<\/strong>. Both Tiburtine villas<\/strong> have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites <\/strong>since 1999<\/strong> and 2001<\/strong>, respectively.<\/p>\n

\"Villa
Villa d’Este, an amazing fountain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

8. Reggia di Caserta<\/strong>: visited annually by 845,000 people<\/strong>, Vanvitelli’s masterpiece is the largest royal residence in the world<\/strong>. Covering an area of 47 square kilometres<\/strong>, it is about six times the size of Versailles<\/strong>. A plunge into the past in the Bourbon residence, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997<\/strong>, together with the San Leucio complex and the Carolino aqueduct.<\/p>\n

\"The
The Gardens of the Royal Palace of Caserta<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7. Museo della Venar\u00eca Reale<\/strong>, Turin: one of the most beautiful public gardens in Italy, the Royal Palace was built between 1658 and 1679<\/strong> by architects of considerable level such as Filippo Juvarra, Amedeo di Castellamonte, Michelangelo Garove, Benedetto Alfieri on commission of Duke Carlo Emanuele II<\/strong> for his hunting expeditions. 960,000 visitors <\/strong>each year undertake an authentic journey into the past<\/strong>, amidst works of great value, touching on the history and lives of kings and queens<\/strong> of the past.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Reggia
Reggia di Venar\u00eca<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6. Egyptian Museum<\/strong>, Turin: recognised as the oldest museum dedicated to Egyptian art and culture<\/strong>, it houses 37,000 archaeological artefacts<\/strong>. 4,000 years<\/strong> of a people’s history, which deeply influenced numerous fields of human knowledge. Among the wonders to be admired, worthy of mention, are the 24 human mummies<\/strong>, 219 animal mummies and sarcophagi<\/strong>, the 18.47 m long Papyrus of Iuefankh<\/strong> and the statue of Sethi II<\/strong>, visible in the Gallery of the Kings, weighing 5 tonnes<\/strong>. The Egyptian Museum in Turin boasts 850,000 visitors<\/strong> annually.<\/b><\/p>\n

\"Egyptian
Egyptian Museum, Three Sister Mummies\u2019 Hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

5. Castel Sant’Angelo<\/strong>, Rome: the original mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian<\/strong>, from the 5th century A.D<\/strong>., changed its use to become a castle<\/strong> defending the city on the Tiber River. It was home to numerous noble families and popes. Indeed, Pope Niccol\u00f2 III Orsini<\/strong> built the Passetto di Borgo<\/strong>, called er Coridore<\/em> in Roman dialect. This sort of pedestrian overpass of about 800 metres<\/strong> connects Castel Sant’Angelo and the Vatican.<\/p>\n

A real shelter for the popes<\/strong> in case of danger, it was also used as a prison <\/strong>and a court<\/strong>. The various modifications, additions or deletions of elements according to use over the centuries seem almost the natural evolution of a monument that tells centuries of history and the most intimate secrets of the Eternal City. It counts around 2 million visits<\/strong> each year.<\/p>\n

\"Castel
Castel Sant’Angelo looming unchallenged over the Tiber<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4. Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze, <\/strong>Florence: by far the most extensive collection of Michelangelo’s works<\/strong>, including the famous David<\/strong>. The talented Florentine artist still conveys vibrating emotions in his sculptures, which fascinate as many as 1.7 million people<\/strong> yearly. The gallery also houses numerous sections, including the Museum of Musical Instruments<\/strong> consisting of the historical collection from the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory.<\/p>\n

\"David
David by Michelangelo, Galleria dell\u2019Accademia di Firenze<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3. Archaeological Area of Pompeii, Naples<\/strong>: the excavations and ruins of the town in the province of Naples, buried during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D<\/strong>., are tangible evidence of daily life in a fragment of history that has remained crystallised in time. Paradoxically, the volcano’s overwhelming fury preserved its characteristics, which can still be seen today during the visit, encapsulating everything in lava, ash, lapilli and pyroclastic material. An incomparable experience that approximately 4 million visitors<\/strong> a year do not want to miss.<\/p>\n

\"Ruins
Detail of some of the ruins of Pompeii<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

2. Uffizi Galleries<\/strong>, Florence: undoubtedly the most popular museum for tourists from Italy and all over the world. Some 4,500,000 people<\/strong> a year are attracted by the fascination of Renaissance masterpieces by such renowned artists as Leonardo Da Vinci<\/strong> or Caravaggio<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"Gallerie
Gallerie degli Uffizi, Florence<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. The Colosseum Archaeological Area<\/strong> (Rome): in addition to the imposing Flavian Amphitheatre<\/strong>, a witness to the glorious past of the Eternal City, the archaeological area, which you can visit with a single ticket, also includes the adjoining Palatine Hill<\/strong> and the Roman Forum<\/strong>. It has about 8 million visitors<\/strong> yearly, a record disputed with the Vatican Museums.<\/p>\n

\"Colosseo
View of the Roman Forum with the Colosseum in the background<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Museum categories and the unusual ones<\/h2>\n

Since those mentioned above represent a derisory part of our museum heritage, although they are the core attractions, in Italy, it would not take a lifetime to visit them all. There are anthropological, ethnographic, archaeological, visual arts, performing arts, applied arts, science, technology, natural history, musical instruments, natural history, historical, military or ecclesiastical museums as well as dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci, the sea, literature, education, the firefighters, taste, the Museum of Tourism<\/strong>\u00a0, and so on.<\/p>\n

The most unusual ones, however, deserve a prominent place alongside the traditional forms. Which are they? The Museum of Illusions in Rome, Milan or Trapani, the Corkscrew Museum in Barolo (Cuneo), the Knife Museum in Pattada (Sassari), the Liquorice Museum<\/strong> in Cosenza, the Figurine Museum in Modena, the Torture Museum in San Gimignano\u00a0 (Siena), the Museum of Lost Love in Aggius (Sassari), the Love Letter Museum in the province of Chieti and, last but not least, the Paolo Gambacurta Cat Museum in Teramo. In short, there really is something for everyone. Have you decided which one you want to start with?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In a country like Italy that is an authentic open-air museum, a living art history book, International Museum Day could only be worthy of attention. Let’s discover this day that has now become a ritual together!   The origin of International Museum Day Since 1977, May 18th has been a worldwide celebration of culture and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":6156,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[308],"tags":[],"stagioni":[898],"attivita":[],"regioni":[936],"class_list":["post-6786","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-in-mostra-en","stagioni-primavera-en","regioni-italia-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/in-italy.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6786","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/in-italy.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/in-italy.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in-italy.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in-italy.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6786"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/in-italy.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6786\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6793,"href":"https:\/\/in-italy.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6786\/revisions\/6793"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in-italy.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6156"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/in-italy.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6786"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in-italy.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6786"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in-italy.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6786"},{"taxonomy":"stagioni","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in-italy.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/stagioni?post=6786"},{"taxonomy":"attivita","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in-italy.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/attivita?post=6786"},{"taxonomy":"regioni","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in-italy.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/regioni?post=6786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}