Etruschi e Veneti: Sacred Waters Exhibition Opens at Venice's Palazzo Ducale

The exhibition 'Etruschi e Veneti. Acque, culti e santuari' at Palazzo Ducale in Venice explores the sacred relationship with water in ancient Italy, contrasting the Etruscan and Veneti civilizations. It features the renowned bronzes of San Casciano, discovered since 2019, alongside other votive offerings and artifacts. The show, housed in the Doge's Apartment, presents an unprecedented comparison between these two cultures during the first millennium BCE, highlighting their interactions and distinct religious practices. Venues include sacred springs and thermal sites across Etruria (Vulci, Chiusi, Chianciano, San Casciano dei Bagni, Marzabotto) and the Veneto region (Montegrotto, San Pietro Montagnon, Lagole di Calalzo), as well as maritime and river port sanctuaries from Pyrgi to Spina, Adria, Este, and Altino. The exhibition reconstructs original contexts of artifacts, featuring refined Etruscan stone and bronze sculptures like the Head of Leucothea from Pyrgi, while the Veneti section highlights their situlae (decorated bronze vessels) and a small bronze horse reminiscent of Marino Marini's later works. Curated with scientific rigor, the show will be reinstalled at Fondazione Luigi Rovati in Milan next autumn. The exhibition runs until September 29 at Palazzo Ducale, San Marco 1, Venice.