Reggio Calabria, located at the southern tip of the Italian peninsula, is a historic city overlooking the Strait of Messina. Known for its rich cultural heritage and stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea, it is a fascinating destination in the Calabria region. Let’s explore some of its gems thanks to CHO.Earth VCards.
MArRC – National Archaeological Museum of Magna Graecia, Palazzo Piacentini
The National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria, also known as the National Museum of Magna Graecia or “Palazzo Piacentini,” is a prestigious institution that houses one of the most important collections of Magna Graecia artifacts in Italy. Originally composed of materials ceded by the city’s civic museum in the 19th century, the museum has been enriched by numerous excavation campaigns conducted by the Archaeological Superintendence of Calabria. Today, many new artifacts are displayed in various local museums, such as Crotone, Locri, and Vibo Valentia. Among the most notable pieces are the Riace Bronzes, the Philosopher’s Head, and the Head of Basel. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Civic Art Gallery of the Francesco Cilea Theater
The Civic Art Gallery of Reggio Calabria was inaugurated on June 18, 1882, inside the Francesco Cilea Theater. Among the displayed works, two panel paintings by Antonello da Messina, dating from 1460-1465, and other 15th-century wooden panels, as well as modern sculptures and paintings, stand out. The collection has been expanded through bequests, donations, and purchases from the old civic museum. Officially inaugurated by the President of the Chamber Gianfranco Fini on May 26, 2008, the Art Gallery hosts works previously scattered in various museums and venues, and the restoration and setup project was curated by Prof. Arch. Fabio Mariano.
Diocesan Museum
The Diocesan Museum Mons. Aurelio Sorrentino is located in Reggio Calabria, within the architectural complex of the Archbishop’s Palace, which also includes the Diocesan Library and the Historical Diocesan Archive. Founded by Mons. Giovanni Ferro on January 25, 1957, the museum received significant impetus during the episcopate of Mons. Aurelio Sorrentino, especially on the occasion of the 21st National Eucharistic Congress. In 1988, it hosted the exhibition “Figurations of the Sacred: Eight Sculptors in the Reggio Area between the 19th and 20th Centuries,” promoted by the Provincial Administration of Reggio Calabria, in the premises destined to become the museum’s permanent exhibition space.
Museum of Pharmacy History and Rabainisia Library
Inside the Diocesan Museum Mons. Aurelio Sorrentino, numerous historical artifacts are found, including flasks and pottery, glassware, a precious bronze mortar from 1630, a glass alembic, and 19th-century wooden presses for citrus and bergamot. There are also various copper artifacts for ancient bergamot essences, also requested by the Bergamot Museum of Reggio Calabria, and a portable travel scale. Additionally, the collection includes pharmacy jars in brown glass with labels indicating the extracts contained, and a vast collection of cylindrical bottles with organic substances. The annexed library, the Rabainisia Library, initially formed by about 1,500 volumes related to pharmacology and veterinary science, has been expanded with recent acquisitions, covering various scientific disciplines. The library is open to the public on the first Tuesday of each month, while the museum is visitable by appointment during the summer period.
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