Gradara's medieval borgo becomes open-air contemporary art museum with 'Contemplativa' exhibition

Beginning June 28, the medieval fortified village of Gradara in the Marche region will feature a contemporary art exhibition entitled 'Contemplativa: Arte tra storia e contemporaneità,' under the curation of Roberta Ridolfi. This exhibition will repurpose four locations along the main thoroughfare—the former Proloco office, the Church of the Borgo with its private area, and the Museo delle Grotte window—creating an 'art quadrilateral.' Twelve artists, including Gianluigi Antonelli, Elisa Di Domenicantonio, and Lorenzo Amadori, will present photographs, installations, and paintings that engage with the history of Gradara and its renowned fortified walls. Ridolfi emphasized Gradara's historical integrity and the exhibition's interactive format, which fosters public engagement and tourism. Previously, she curated 'Arte in Ospedale,' which showcased art in hospitals in Fano, Pesaro San Salvatore, and Pesaro Muraglia from 2010 to 2014. Gradara is celebrated for its well-preserved medieval architecture, including a 30-meter tower, and is famously associated with the tale of Paolo Malatesta and Francesca da Rimini, as narrated by Dante in the Divine Comedy.