by Alessandra Ressa
This Sunday, June 23, the Speleovivarium Museum on Via Guido Reni will open its doors to the public with a special free-admission event, showcasing an enchanting new exhibition titled “Marvelous Monsters.”
In collaboration with the Academy of Drawing and Comics of Trieste, the exhibit brings to life the fantastical characters that inhabit the rich folklore of the Karst region. Young artists from the academy have meticulously crafted works that illustrate these legendary beings, offering a fresh perspective on the myths that have long fascinated locals and scholars alike.
Visitors to the museum will not only have the opportunity to marvel at these imaginative creations but also to explore the permanent exhibitions. Housed within the evocative World War II-era air-raid shelters, the museum’s displays provide a comprehensive look at speleology and the subterranean fauna native to this storied landscape.
This event is part of a broader initiative, “Four Steps Above and Below: Speleology of the Twentieth Century between History and Folklore,” spearheaded by the cultural association Opera Viva. Lorena Matic, the project’s visionary and artistic director, highlights the significance of this endeavor.
“A rich landscape heritage,” Matic explains, “recognized with the establishment of the Regional Cave Register in the 1960s, marked the advent of modern speleology. This era saw the creation of new schools and the introduction of advanced observation and research techniques, bridging the gap between the scientific community and the public. It also brought to light the importance of our oral traditions. The Karst is steeped in legends, teeming with goblins, fairies, devils, and other mythical or legendary entities.”
The “Marvelous Monsters” exhibition will be on display until July 20. The Speleovivarium Museum, managed by the Adriatic Speleology Society, welcomes visitors every third Sunday of the month, offering a unique glimpse into the underground world that lies beneath the Karst.
For those intrigued by both natural history and folklore, this exhibition promises a captivating journey into the depths of the region’s cultural and geological heritage.
