L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 24 L'Italo-Americano LIFE PEOPLE PLACES HERITAGE 2 023 was an in- credible year for Italian muse- ums, which recorded nearly 58 million visitors and gener- ated over 313 million euros in revenue. A significant achieve- ment, also reached thanks to the strategic efforts by the Min- istry of Culture to implement paid entry across many previ- ously free museums, and the successful launch of the Musei Italiani app, designed to en- hance the accessibility and management of the cultural heritage system. A c c o r d i n g t o M i n i s t e r Gennaro Sangiuliano and Director General Massimo Osanna, this transformation has been pivotal. "Introduc- ing paid entry to our muse- ums has been a small revolu- tion in the Italian cultural sector," Osanna stated. The revenue increase of 34% com- pared to 2022 and 71.5 mil- lion euros above the pre-pan- d e m i c p e a k o f 2 0 1 9 underscores the success of these initiatives. The Musei Italiani app, introduced on July 3, 2023, has facilitated t h i s g r o w t h b y o f f e r i n g a streamlined platform for tick- et purchases and detailed information on museum col- lections and accessibility fea- tures. Initially rolled out in conjunction with the ticketing system at the Pantheon, the app now includes 406 nation- al museums, with plans to expand this network further. Director General Massimo Osanna emphasized the app's role in supporting smaller m u s e u m s : " T h e a p p w a s designed to help museums in difficulty, erroneously consid- ered minor just because they are outside the main tourist routes," he declared. Future developments for the app include the addition of audio guides and guided tour functionalities, making it a comprehensive tool for both local and international visi- tors. Osanna's vision is to integrate all 4,900 museums within the national museum system into the app, covering state, civic, diocesan, univer- sity, and private museums. And now, let's take a clos- e r l o o k a t I t a l y ' s t o p t e n museums together: admit- tedly, there aren't many sur- prises, with Rome playing a m a j o r r o l e , a l o n g w i t h famous institutions in Flo- rence, Naples, and Turin. The sheer wealth of art and cul- ture held in these locations, though, is among the clearest reasons we like to call Italy il Belpaese! 1. Parco Archeologico del Colosseo Leading the list with 12 million visitors, the Parco A r c h e o l o g i c o d e l Colosseo, which includes the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and Roman Forum, remains the most visited site in Italy. Completed in 80 AD, the Colosseum was originally c a p a b l e o f h o l d i n g u p t o 80,000 spectators and was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. 2. Pantheon I n s e c o n d p l a c e i s t h e Pantheon, with around 5 million visitors. Notably, 2023 marked the first year of its paid entry system, which is expected to reduce the visi- tor count slightly in 2024. The Pantheon was built as a temple to all the gods in AD 126 and is known worldwide for its magnificent dome and oculus, which remains the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. Its remark- able state of preservation and its continuous use, first as a pagan temple and later as a Christian church, make it a m u s t - s e e f o r v i s i t o r s t o Rome. The introduction of ticketing has helped manage the flow of visitors, ensuring the site's preservation while enhancing the overall visitor experience. 3. Gallerie degli Uffizi T h e G a l l e r i e d e g l i U f f i z i i n F l o r e n c e , a l s o attracting 5 million visitors, r a n k s t h i r d . H o m e t o a n unparalleled collection of Renaissance art, the Uffizi is h o m e t o m a s t e r p i e c e s b y artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Bot- ticelli. Established in 1581 by Francesco I de' Medici, the gallery originally served as the offices (uffizi) for Floren- tine magistrates. 4. Parco Archeologico di Pompei The Parco Archeologi- co di Pompei, with over 4 million visitors, holds fourth place. As most of us know, Pompeii was buried by the c a t a s t r o p h i c e r u p t i o n o f Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Excavations, which began in t h e 1 8 t h c e n t u r y , h a v e r e v e a l e d w e l l - p r e s e r v e d buildings, frescoes, and arti- facts, drawing history enthu- siasts from around the world. Recent efforts to restore and protect the site include the innovative use of drones and other technologies for moni- toring and preservation. 5. Galleria dell'Accade- mia di Firenze Rounding out the top five is the Galleria dell'Accad- emia di Firenze, with over a million visitors. This muse- u m i s f a m o u s l y h o m e t o Michelangelo's David. Estab- lished in 1784 by the Grand D u k e o f T u s c a n y , P i e t r o Leopoldo, the Accademia ini- tially served as a teaching facility for the Academy of Fine Arts students. 6. Castel Sant'Angelo In sixth place with a signif- icant rise in visitors is Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome, now a n a u t o n o m o u s m u s e u m . Originally constructed as a m a u s o l e u m f o r E m p e r o r Hadrian in AD 139, Castel Sant'Angelo has served vari- ous roles over the centuries, including a fortress, papal residence, and prison. The m u s e u m o f f e r s v i s i t o r s a glimpse into its multifaceted history through exhibitions of Renaissance art, military artifacts, and papal apart- ments. 7 . M u s e o E g i z i o d i Torino T h e M u s e o E g i z i o i n Turin, ranked seventh, is the world's second-largest muse- um dedicated to Egyptian antiquities, following the Cairo Museum. Founded in 1824, it houses an extensive collection of artifacts span- ning from the Paleolithic era to the Coptic period. High- lights include the tomb of Kha and Merit, the statue of Ramesses II, and numerous mummies and sarcophagi. 8. National Archaeo- l o g i c a l M u s e u m o f Naples Eighth on the list is the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, known for its impressive collection of Greco-Roman antiquities. Founded in the late 18th cen- tury by King Charles III of Spain, the museum houses artifacts from Pompeii and H e r c u l a n e u m , i n c l u d i n g mosaics, frescoes, and sculp- tures. The Farnese Collec- tion, one of the museum's highlights, features works from the Renaissance and ancient Rome. 9. Capitoline Museums The Capitoline Muse- ums in Rome, ranked ninth, are the oldest public muse- ums in the world, as they were founded in 1471 when Pope Sixtus IV donated a col- lection of important bronze statues. The museums house a v a s t a r r a y o f a n c i e n t Roman statues, inscriptions, a n d a r t i f a c t s , a s w e l l a s Renaissance and Baroque art. 10. Vatican Museums Although not under the Ministry of Culture, the Vati- can Museums round out the top ten. Known for their extensive collection of art and historical artifacts, the Vatican Museums include the Sistine Chapel, famous for Michelangelo's ceiling, and the Raphael Rooms. Founded by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century, they include today 54 galleries. T h e r e c o r d - b r e a k i n g a c h i e v e m e n t s o f I t a l i a n museums in 2023 highlight the success of key strategic initiatives to enhance accessi- bility, improve visitor experi- ences, and generate much- needed revenue. "We are among the most generous in Europe, but we must charge a n e n t r y f e e t o e n s u r e resources for our museums, which offer an irreplaceable e x p e r i e n c e , " M i n i s t e r Sangiuliano explained. An i m p o r t a n t c h a n g e , w h i c h brings Italy on par with other countries, and provides the funds necessary to ensure the country's rich cultural legacy can be preserved and protect- ed. CHIARA D'ALESSIO A landmark year of record-breaking success for Italian museums The famous Bramante staircase within the Musei Vaticani (Photo: Scythe23/Dreamstime)

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