The best side of culture
Borrowed and not adapted from the English language, the selfie (from self-portrait, photograph of oneself) has now entered the vocabulary of young and old. Daily bread of many, photographic practice equally loved and suffered, indirect director of theatrical plays of the latest cry, this photographic making has been a universal success.
On the world day dedicated to him we decided to put him in the service of art and culture. Taking advantage of our opposable thumbs we will hold the means of this instant photo service, taking them with us to discover some of the hidden treasures of Italian Cultural Heritage.
But before going on an adventure, we asked ourselves a question. If museums could choose, which would they elect as their better side? What room or object would they suggest to immortalize with us to carry an indelible memory?
Read on and you'll find out!
- 1.
Land in sight!
If Liguria is the destination of your holidays do not miss the opportunity to pass by the Galata, Museum of the Sea of Genoa, where the history of great navigators of the past and numerous maritime finds tell the story of navigation.
Among the distinctive elements of the museum is the lighthouse. Located at the entrance and 10 meters high, it is a lighthouse-light at the top of which there is an authentic and functioning Fresnel Lens. The gem? You can choose the frame you prefer thanks to the panoramic balconies located on the various floors of the building!
- 2.
From island...
More than 1200 kilometers away, in Sicily, you will find numerous spots to choose from! Eastern Sicily is rich in natural and archaeological beauty. Whether you love nature, archeology or painting, here you will find something to capture.
Let's leave the word first to the Museo Bernabò Brea in Lipari. If he could speak, he would tell you to be enchanted by the Greek-Roman grave goods found in the excavations in the necropolis of the district of Diana di Lipari. Vases, masks, jewels, are just some of the objects with which they create a snapshot of a very rich era!
The raw material is there, what will you create with it?
- 3.
... to Island
Paradise on Earth? No, it's Isolabella! Everywhere you look, a riot of flowers and vegetation stands out on the horizon. A dream come true for all those who love to experience nature in its truest and most sincere being.
For your photo do not stop immediately in front of the first lush flashes of green, but walk and reach Villa Caronia: its windows will be the perfect background for your shot!
- 4.
With the nose down
Passionate about Roman history and archeology? Satiate your curiosity with Patti Roman Villa. Not only will it involve you with the story of its fortuitous discovery and a visit to the finds recovered during the excavations, but above all it will offer the curious lens of your camera (or the internal camera of your mobile phone) an exquisite glimpse: that of the Mosaic of Bacchus.
How is the Greek God represented? It's up to you to discover it and immortalize it!
- 5.
Following the footsteps of Goethe
If instead you feel pervaded by the spirit of nineteenth-century travelers, try to tread the same roads as the participants of the Grand Tour and move to Tindari Archaeological Park. Here you can only be enchanted by the fruits of the encounter between Roman, Greek, Sicilian and Byzantine culture.
According to many, its most photogenic point is the area of the Basilica. Do you agree?
If you try your hand and choose to take your picture here, remember to put the wide angle or you will cut its beauty!
- 6.
Brush lashes between Puglia and Sicily
Let's move to a different artistic field and let’s cross the threshold of three great museums known for their grandiose paintings collections: the MuMe in Messina, the Gallery of Palazzo Bellomo in Syracuse and the Devanna Gallery in Bitonto.
Here choosing a symbolic room is even more difficult!
Let's take the MuMe: Carracci, Alibrandi, Montorsoli, an endless list of some of the greatest artists of all time. But, either for fame (or infamy), he stands out above all: Caravaggio. In the Museum you can try your photographic art in front of two works by the painter, the Resurrection of Lazarus and the Adoration of the Shepherds. Ready?
If you want to immortalize a work with an intriguing history you can only go to Palazzo Bellomo. Here the museum will lead you to discover its flagship painting: the Annunciation by Antonello da Messina. The authorship of the work was confirmed only in the twentieth century, once the commission document was found. A historical and artistic cross-section worthy of note, don't you think?
If you prefer a touch of internationality, while remaining on Italian soil, opt for a passage in Puglia and go to the Devanna National Gallery of Bitonto. The voice of the museum will not only tell you the story of the artistic eras represented, but will suggest you look carefully at how these are presented to the public. In fact, the Gallery stands out for being set up according to a methodology that follows those typical of private collections of the late nineteenth century.
- 7.
Noise of shields
The Devanna Gallery took us to the land of Puglia, so why not stay here? For fans of battles and historical places nothing will be more welcome than to follow the siren song that will take them to the site of Cannae della Battaglia.
A name that is also the memory of the most disastrous event ever experienced by the Roman army: the Battle of Cannae. Here, where past and present meet, nothing seems to tell more deeply the events of that fateful year (216 BC) than the space theater of this battle.
Visit the Park and let the echo of history guide you. Stop only where you seem to hear even more clearly the noise of all the civilizations passed through Cannae over the centuries.
This will be the scene for your shot.
- 8.
Stone silhouette
Are you a solo traveler? Nevertheless, we have the solution to get you a group selfie!
The rooms of the Castle of Manfredonia conceal a unique treasure in the world: the Daunie stelae, stylized figures of men and women that were used as a signal for the tombs. Have fun discovering the details and decorations of each of them and select the most exemplary of all: you have found your partner!
- 9.
Convivial ceramics
Colors so bright as to be almost blinding.
The exhibits on display in the Archaeological Museum of Canosa testify to the great skill of local workers in ceramic production. The large containers, jars and vases for drawing, pouring and drinking, coming from the grave goods, refer to forms of conviviality linked to the funerary sphere and are distinguished by the high quality and variety of decorations.
In memory of this journey through the nuances of Canosa ceramic production, the suggestion is to select one of the oinochoai, large jugs decorated with pink, light blue and fiery red polychrome motifs. You will find some interesting shapes!
Open your mind, assimilate and... Taken! You can tell everyone about this journey with beautiful images to act as a red thread for the narration.
What ruins distinguish one park from another? Which vessels are distinctive of a people or an era? What makes a museum famous all over the world? Traveling from north to south, we tried to give an answer to these questions by entering the halls and spaces of some of the most beautiful museums and archaeological parks in Italy with a single purpose: to make us whisper in the ear their history, discover their secrets and choose together the best "profiles" to take portraits with a taste of memory.
Set up the internal camera, call your friends and go: group culture tastes better!