Italy has a heritage of open-air museums not known to all. Parks, gardens, very special architectures that deserve to be visited at least once in a lifetime. Sown throughout the territory, from north to south. There GreenMe magazine It offers a map precious to find them and enjoy their unprecedented beauty. They are inspiring scenarios for artists and writers and places of pure pleasure for those who love being outdoors and full of positive energy.

To discover these enchanting locations we start from the north, from Valle d'Aosta, where we find the Medieval village of Etroubles. It houses works by renowned artists, such as the painter and sculptor Salvatore Sebaste, the Ferrarese sculptors Alberto Gambale and Sergio Zanni, the French sculptor Albert Féraud, the Swiss artist Hans Erni. And then of course the locals, Giulio Schiavon and Siro Viérin from Valle d'Aosta conceal their evocative wooden sculptures.

Staying north but moving east, in Borgo Valsugana, province of Trento, we meet Sella Art. Along the road to Mount Armentera, here is an open-air exhibition of works created using only natural mountain elements. A majestic environment where nature is both a museum and a work of art.

museums - natural work of art in Trentino
www.artesella.it

Going down in Emilia, Modena area, you can immerse yourself, if you want, in history. Of the sea, as well as of the mountains. Visiting precisely the wonder of Archaeological park and open-air museum of the Terramara di Montale. An archaeological site dating back to the Bronze Age where an entire terramaric village has been reconstructed.

museums - Archaeological park and open-air museum of the Terramara di Montale
Archaeological park and open-air museum of the Terramara di Montale

Moving a little southwest, we enter Toscana. Obviously very rich in assets mainstream, also hides lesser known but equally magical places. TO Siena for example, where can you visit Il Chianti Sculpture Park. It hosts a permanent exhibition of contemporary art installations and sculptures throughout the year. Born in 2004 by the will of the Giadrossi spouses, art lovers who have personally selected artists from all five continents. Works have been made with composite, eclectic materials, to give the visitor an atmosphere that is multifaceted and international. In the park was also created a anfiteatro: concerts and book presentations are scheduled for July and August.

Certainly worth a visit, always in Tuscany, it is The Tarot Garden in Capalbio, where it is possible to admire huge sculptures inspired by the Tarot with mosaics and water games. A curious and fascinating two-hectare park, a dreamlike atmosphere that came from the mind of the French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle.  

museums - detail of the Tarot Garden in Capalbio
www.giardinodeitarocchi.it

Still in Tuscany you can go to Ghizzano, near Pisa, which hosts the happening Three projects for Ghizzano. Installations in alleys, churches and gardens, which dress the town in a very colorful atmosphere. With the contribution of international artists Alicja Kwade, David Tremlett and Patrick Tuttofuoco.

A little further south, in Lazio, we come to Viterbo. And we can't miss the Park of the Monsters of Bomarzo. Another place of dream and disturbance, rich in arcane symbolism, gigantic statues and real monsters that seduce with their evocative power and originality.

museums - stone entrance in the shape of a mouth in the park of monsters in Bomarzo
www.boscosacro.it

Same latitude but crossing the Tyrrhenian Sea we reach Ulassai, province of Nuoro, to visit the Maria Lai open-air museum, named in honor of the Italian artist who conceived it in 1981. His works punctuate and amplify the already great suggestion of the Sardinian panorama.

construction representing the capture of the wind wing Ulassai Park
Maria Lai open-air museum

Returning to the continent and further south, dedicated to those who want to experience decidedly new emotions is the RB Ride by Cartsen Holler. It is located in San Severino Lucano, near Potenza. Transported to the Pollino after being exhibited at the Biennial d'Arte di Venezia in 2007, the installation is described as carousel twelve spacecraft that turns in a circle bending towards the ground. It is in fact the slowest carousel in the world. When the rotation of his spacecraft slows down, it induces a sense of estrangement (almost uneasiness) that pushes the viewer to turn to the surrounding nature with a new mood. The declared purpose is to recover the value of time, of contemplation.

museums - a carousel of Cartsen Holler's RB Ride.
www.artepollino.it

And we end in Sicilia, in the province of Agrigento. Where do we find the Farm Cultural Park of Favara. An artistic residence founded in 2010 by Andrea Bartoli and his wife Florinda Saieva. It is located inside the Bentivegna Courtyard, which is itself divided into seven gardens which each house a pavilion. Painting exhibitions and contemporary installations that would like to make Favara the second tourist attraction in the province after the Valley of the Temples. Have a good trip to all, therefore, with full lungs, and without a mask.

Open-air museums. Italian tour of suggestions without risk of contagion last edit: 2020-06-09T09:00:00+02:00 da Mariangela Cutrone

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