Italy's culture minister Dario
Franceschini said Wednesday in visiting the garden of Palazzo
Venezia that "it used to be a parking lot and now it is a
spectacular place, a sort of oasis in the heart of Rome".
The garden is open both during the day and in the evening
to the public. Performances will be held beginning on June 20
and are seen as the first step towards to drawing greater
appreciation for a museum that suffered too long due to its inks
with the Fascist period.
Of the four accesses to the historical building, the
minister said among the palm trees and magnolias in bloom, "only
one was open from Campidoglio and was used for those who work
here, while the main entrance for the museum and exhibitions is
the least practical for everyone and is on Via del Plebiscito".
"The garden will now become a form of support for museum
activities," he stressed, "and will include additional services
including plans to build a restaurant that will look out over"
the green area amid the city traffic.
About 6 million euros were needed over a three-year period
for the attempt to transform "Palazzo Venezia into Palazzo delle
Arti".
The museum contains extraordinary collections, Franceschini
noted, "but it still bears the weight of history and ideology"
despite the fact that it was built "well before the Fascist
period".
Though signs remain from the period - such as floors
engraved with fasces - "I do not think this is a valid reason to
destroy them".
The latter were covered by heavy carpets for over 50 years,
but the ones in those halls have been restored and can hear
history to history.
Palazzo Venezia is thus freed from the ghosts of the
regime. The benches in the garden - which has lampposts and
Wi-Fi - were supplied by the Spanish firm Benito, whose name is
printed on top of them.
Benito Mussolini made his rousing speeches to crowds from
his balcony on Palazzo Venezia.
"It is only the supplier's name," Museo Nazionale di
Palazzo Venezia director Sonia Martone said. "It's simply a
coincidence, and one that made me smile. I thought about taking
it off, leaving thing as they are is also a way of wanting to
experience the aura that hangs over Palazzo Venezia in a
different manner."
The makeover of the museum reflects Minister Franceschini's
vision to "multiply destinations for cultural tourism".
"Nearby," he noted, "is the Colosseum, which every year
draws about six million visitors. Not even 50,000 visit Palazzo
Venezia, however."
On being appointed, new Lazio museums director Edith
Gabrielli thus immediately set to work on the Renaissance
building.
"Palazzo Venezia will once again be fully useable,"
Gabrielli said. "The opening of the garden is only the
beginning. Already today monumental apartments from the 15th
century and many collections can be visited, while the bunkers
will be accessible in the future as well."
The garden will be open and able to be crossed through
during the daytime and in the evening from June 20 to September
16 it will host "Il Giardino Ritrovato" ("The Rediscovered
Garden"), which will include concerts, debates and musical
performances in an area able to hold at least 300 people.
"This place has reopened to a new life," Martone said.
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