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Carmelo Bene Archive Opens in Lecce's Convitto Palmieri

cultural-heritage · 2026-04-27

On September 13, 2021, the Fondo-archivio Carmelo Bene was inaugurated at Convitto Palmieri in Lecce. This archive, acquired in 2019 by the Soprintendenza archivistica e bibliografica di Puglia along with the Soprintendenza archeologia belle arti e paesaggio, was created through a partnership with Bene's heirs, Raffaella Baracchi and her daughter Salomè. The exhibition includes three distinct collections: the Fondo librario, which contains 5,000 volumes; the Fondo personale, comprising manuscripts and audiovisual materials; and the Fondo costumi, featuring 22 costumes from various productions. Salomè Bene expressed that the archive honors her father's legacy, while Massimo Bray emphasized its significance as a space for research. The archive is accessible from Monday to Saturday, 5 PM to 9 PM, until September 30, with no admission fee.

Key facts

  • Fondo-archivio Carmelo Bene opened September 13, 2021, at Convitto Palmieri, Lecce.
  • Archive acquired in 2019 by Soprintendenza archivistica e bibliografica di Puglia and Soprintendenza archeologia belle arti e paesaggio for Brindisi, Lecce, and Taranto.
  • Agreement signed with heirs Raffaella Baracchi and Salomè Bene.
  • Exhibition designed by Brizia Minerva, Alice Bottega, Sara Saracino, Raffaela Zizzari, Donata Bologna, Lilian Indraccolo, Silvia Gussoni, Claudio Pedone.
  • Three collections: Fondo librario (5,000 volumes), Fondo personale (manuscripts, audiovisual materials), Fondo costumi (22 costumes, accessories).
  • Fondo personale housed at Villa Doria Pamphilj, Rome, under protection order, on loan to Puglia Region.
  • Fondo costumi stored in Bene's home in Otranto.
  • Installation includes two angels by Gino Marotta from Hommelette for Hamlet (1987) and a polyptych by Luigi Presicce.

Entities

Artists

  • Carmelo Bene
  • Raffaella Baracchi
  • Salomè Bene
  • Brizia Minerva
  • Alice Bottega
  • Sara Saracino
  • Raffaela Zizzari
  • Donata Bologna
  • Lilian Indraccolo
  • Silvia Gussoni
  • Claudio Pedone
  • Massimo Bray
  • Gino Marotta
  • Luigi Presicce
  • Marilena Di Tursi

Institutions

  • Fondo-archivio Carmelo Bene
  • Convitto Palmieri
  • Soprintendenza archivistica e bibliografica di Puglia
  • Soprintendenza archeologia belle arti e paesaggio per le province di Brindisi, Lecce e Taranto
  • Regione Puglia
  • Villa Doria Pamphilj
  • Casa dei teatri
  • Fondazione Pino Pascali
  • Corriere del Mezzogiorno
  • Corriere della Sera
  • Segno arte contemporanea
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Lecce
  • Convitto Palmieri
  • Piazzetta G. Carducci
  • Rome
  • Villa Doria Pamphilj
  • Otranto
  • Campi Salentina
  • Polignano a Mare
  • Chiesa di San Francesco della Scarpa
  • Puglia
  • Brindisi
  • Taranto
  • Italy

Sources