by InTrieste
The Civic Museum of Antiquities “J.J. Winckelmann” is celebrating a decade of its summer series “Evening Archaeology” with a thematic focus on the museum’s rich history and collections. Starting on August 6, the series will run every Tuesday night throughout the month in the picturesque Captain’s Garden.
This year’s edition, titled “The Museum Tells Its Story,” is poised to be a comprehensive exploration of the museum’s heritage. It marks several significant anniversaries: 180 years since the opening of the Lapidary Garden (June 8, 1843), ten years since the unveiling of the Winckelmann monument, 150 years since the museum’s official establishment (end of 1873), and 100 years since its relocation to Via della Cattedrale (April 21, 1925).
The series kicks off with an engaging mix of history and performance. The evening will begin at 8:30 PM with a presentation detailing the museum’s evolution, focusing on its origins and the development of its lapidary collection. The museum, originally known as the Civic Museum of History and Art, was founded around the Lapidary Garden, which was inaugurated around the monument of Johann Joachim Winckelmann in 1833.
The garden, originally a collection of historical stones, expanded over time through acquisitions and donations, evolving into a museum known for its remarkable artifacts. By the end of the 19th century, the collection was reorganized and partially relocated to the Tergestine Lapidary in the Castle of San Giusto. The evening will feature a special presentation of these inscriptions and sculptures, narrated through recorded voices of actors.
Complementing the historical presentation, the Lumen Harmonicum Instrumental Group will offer a unique musical experience. Their program, “Serietà & Varietà dalla A alla… D! Treasures & Musical Curiosities from the Triestine Popular Songs of the Carlo Schmidl Museum,” will showcase the charm and diversity of Triestine popular music, a genre closely tied to local cultural history. The evening will feature a composition by Nicola Samale and a concluding piece, “Languid Lapidarium,” by Giulia D’Andrea, dedicated to Marzia Vidulli Torlo, a dedicated conservator of the Winckelmann Museum.
The series continues with a diverse lineup:
- August 13 at 8:30 PM: “On the Routes of Egyptomania” by Susanna Moser, exploring Trieste’s fascination with ancient Egypt and its influence on the museum’s collection. This will be followed by “B as Bel Tenor… Bronza coverta!” featuring songs and instrumental interludes from the Schmidl Collections.
- August 20 at 8:30 PM: “Fantastic Treasures of Clay” by Marzia Vidulli, delving into the history and significance of Greek and Magna Graecian vases. The evening will conclude with “C as Caligo… El cotoler!” featuring more musical selections from the Schmidl Collections.
- August 27 at 8:30 PM: “Unveiling the Past between Caves and Hillforts” by Costanza Brancolini, offering insights into prehistory and ongoing research. The series will close with “D as Do soldi de Ideal…,” showcasing additional musical interludes.
The “Evening Archaeology” series promises a blend of historical insight and cultural enrichment, celebrating the museum’s storied past and its contributions to the preservation of Trieste’s heritage.
For more information: Contact +39 040 310500 or email museowinckelmann@comune.trieste.it. Visit www.museoantichitawinckelmann.it for details.
