SHARRYLAND
E.P. Santomasi Museum
A gift for the city of Gravina in Puglia
Where is
What it is and where it is
In the heart of the old town of Gravina in Puglia is a very elegant historic palace. One look at the facade is enough to know that it belonged to noble families and visitors were no less. If it was once reserved for an elite, that is no longer the case today. The precious building has become a museum, a container for works of art, and collections of numismatics, ceramics, clothing and archaeology, the latter complete with vases, rings, necklaces found in the Greek colony Sidion and later Roman colony Silvium.
Why it is special
Palazzo Santomasi has gone from being a place for a privileged few to a kind of home for anyone who wants it. In fact, it is possible to cross its threshold and wander through its various rooms: the baroque-style apartments, the museum collection rooms, and the library. Ensuring that everyone can enjoy the riches that the palace holds is taken care of by the E.P. Santomasi Foundation. And thanks to them, we visitors can enjoy a walk through art and history, feeling like the lucky nobles of yesteryear.
Not to be missed
It's hard to say which is the most striking environment, I suppose it's up to each of us' sensibilities and tastes to decide. Let's say then that the place that by its nature stands out from the others is on the ground floor, just past the entrance. A small door, a corridor and you find yourself in the Crypt of St. Vitus the Elder, an example of a rock chapel detached from its original environment and reconstructed here. One thing is certain: after visiting the entire museum, you will no longer have any doubt that here you can taste the history of the city of Gravina in Puglia.
A bit of history
The last owner of this beautiful palace was Ettore Pomarici Santomasi. When he died in 1917 he decided to bequeath to the city, his mansion and the property it contained, to become the site of a museum and library. Three years later, in 1920, the E.P. Santomasi Foundation was born to carry out the benefactor's wishes.
Curiosity
The dissemination mission that Santomasi entrusted to his heirs was definitely taken seriously. Just think that they have gone so far as to map the entire museum so that anyone, anywhere, can conveniently wander through its halls with a few simple clicks. Believe me, once you do you won't want to wait to come and see it in person!
Enter the Map of Italy's Undiscovered Wonders and find treasures where you least expect it... Inspire, Recommend, Share...
The Map thanks:
Enter the Map of Italy's Undiscovered Wonders and find treasures where you least expect it... Inspire, Recommend, Share...
Where is
