The Palazzo della Cultura in Reggio Calabria

Intriguing, eclectic, thought provoking – a few words I would use to describe the Palazzo della Cultura, a new museum in Reggio Calabria that is definitely worth the visit. 

Not only do the various collections have merit in their own rights, but the art is also important for what it culturally represents to the people of the province.

CULTURAL HERITAGE AND LEGALITY

Approaching the entrance to the Palazzo della Cultura and reading the brass plaque out front, I was confronted with the concept of culture playing a role in the defense of legality:

Province of Reggio Calabria

Presidency and Department of Policies and Cultural Planning

Cultural Heritage – Safeguarding Legality.

In addition, the Palazzo della Cultura has been named after Pasquino Crupi (1940-2013), writer, journalist, teacher and staunch meredionalista, or scholar of cultural traditions and economic issues in southern Italy.

The building itself has had a significant past, most importantly for the many years it served as a home for abandoned children. Today, the vast exhibition space – over 4,000 square meters or 43,000 square feet – hosts a diverse range of collections. Amongst the museum’s more than 400 paintings are those confiscated from a local mafia boss and a group focusing on the work of artists from Calabria.

A large area is also dedicated to local artists, and there are two somewhat unexpected displays: an exhibition of old (but I was assured, still working) gramophones and a substantial model train exposition. And finally, or perhaps to begin with as it fills the ground floor, the San Paolo Museum, a fine collection of religious art and other objects amassed by a local priest. The Palazzo della Cultura also plans to have a section dedicated to the city’s one and only bergamot fruit in the near future, and there is a hall that is actively used for lectures and concerts, as well as a library.

CONFISCATED ART OF A ‘NDRANGHETA BOSS

When the Palazzo della Cultura opened in May 2016, the publicity hype was centered around the 124 paintings formerly owned by the ‘Ndrangheta mafia boss Gioacchino Campolo and sequestered by the state when Reggio Calabria’s “King of Video Poker,” as he was called, was incarcerated. I had seen the works a few years earlier in a temporary exhibit at Reggio’s Archeological Museum when that institution was completing its renovations.

The confiscated art collection boasts several big names, most authentic, some definitely unauthentic and others still being studied for verification. So as the young women who take visitors around the museum point out, even criminals can be swindled. For the viewer, the undoubtedly forged and possibly dubious paintings are separated from the genuine works, and I suppose the fakes hold their own cautionary tale.

What is the value of these paintings? Perhaps considerable, but the thrust of the museum is that for the people of the province, whatever monetary figure may be placed on the collection, the ethical and moral value is higher. Chalk one up for legality.

A FEW IMAGES FROM THE PALAZZO DELLA CULTURA

While the confiscated collection leans heavily on the twentieth century, a few earlier religious pieces, such as this graceful 17^th-century crucifix in ivory, count amongst the works. As for the many modern paintings, the artists range from regional to national and international fame.

I like seeing works by artists from the area, such as the images of laborers by the Calabrian realist painter Nunzio Bava and the Sicilian expressionist Giuseppe Migneco from nearby Messina.

While most of the artists are Italian, such as Giorgio De Chirico, Antonio Ligabue and Lucio Fontana, a couple high-profile international names, such as Salvador Dalí are included in the collection.

THE CALARCO COLLECTION

As I mentioned above, I enjoy seeing works by Calabrian artists, particularly their interpretations of locations with which I am familiar. The Palazzo della Cultura’s Calarco Collection, housed on the third floor, stood out in this category.

A number of paintings by Nunzio Bava (1906-1994), whose “I Lavoratori” is pictured above, caught my eye. Born in the town of Bagaladi, now part of Reggio’s metropolitan area, he is considered to be Calabria’s most important 20^th-century realist painter and his religious compositions can be viewed in several churches in Reggio, most notably in the city’s cathedral.

The many canvases were full of classic Calabrian images of villages, the dramatic seaside and even the legendary Fata Morgana, the optical illusion found in the Strait of Messina between Calabria and Sicily that makes the coastline appear closer than it is.

Amongst the many works by local artists, Alessandro Allegra’s “Riflessione di una vita” (Reflection of a Life) drew me in.

VISITING THE PALAZZO DELLA CULTURA

The museum is spread out over three floors and there’s even an excellent view over the city and the Strait of Messina across to Sicily from the balcony. A cloud cover enveloped Mount Etna that day, so I will have to return for another visit to the galleries and for hopefully the perfect view of the famous volcano. And although I also spent time in the Museo San Paolo that day, I will leave that description for another blog post.

The Palazzo della Cultura is big and there’s more than you might expect, so plan your visit accordingly as the museum is closed for a long lunch, with opening hours of 9:30 – 1:00 and 3:30 – 6:00 on Tuesday through Sunday (telephone 0965/890623). As for directions, it’s located at Via E. Cuzzocrea, 48, a relatively short walk uphill from Reggio’s landmark Aragon Castle. On certain days during the summer tourist season, there has even been a free shuttle bus available from the Archeological Museum, so that may be worth the inquiry for sightseers who will certainly be visiting the famous Riace Bronzes when in Reggio Calabria.

And did I mention? It’s free!

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Read more about what there is to see and do in Reggio Calabria, the beautiful city right at the point of the toe in the Italian boot, as well as daily life, history, culture, art, food and society in this fascinating southern Italian region in my non-fiction book Calabria: The Other Italy. Available in paperback and electronic versions.

Visit Reggio on one of my Calabria tours!

CALABRIA: THE OTHER ITALY makes a great gift!