Etruscan Exhibition at Palazzo Pretorio Explores Ancient Civilization

The exhibition 'L'ombra degli Etruschi. Simboli di un popolo fra pianura e collina' at Museo di Palazzo Pretorio in Prato runs until August 31, 2016. Curated by Giuseppina Carlotta Cianferoni, Paola Perazzi, Gabriella Poggesi, and Susanna Sarti in collaboration with Rita Iacopino, the show reconstructs the cultural unity of the area north of the Arno River, known as the 'Fiesolan territory.' It features two sections: 'Figure in bronzo' with votive bronzes from the Gonfienti settlement, including a copy of the Offerente di Pizzidimonte (original at British Museum) and the Kouros di Pizzidimonte (from Museo Archeologico di Firenze), and 'Figure di Pietra' displaying over 30 cippi and stelae from ancient sacred tumuli. The catalog by Edifir – Edizioni Firenze systematically gathers about 50 known 'pietre fiesolane.' The museum, restored in the 1980s by Gae Aulenti and Bianca Ballestrero and reopened in 2014 with a flexible layout by Adolfo Natalini, Piero Guicciardini, and Marco Magni, hosts collateral events including guided tours to the normally closed Gonfienti site and the Artimino archaeological park. On May 27, a conference cycle closes with a musical reinterpretation of Etruscan history featuring the documentary 'La musica perduta degli Etruschi,' etruscologist Simona Rafanelli, and musician Stefano Cocco Cantini.