Le Vie dei Tesori: Palermo's Monument Festival Returns for 11th Edition
From September 29 to October 29, 2017, Palermo will be transformed into an open-air museum during the 11th edition of the Le Vie dei Tesori festival, which will showcase 110 sites that are typically off-limits over five weekends. Established in 2006, the festival seeks to celebrate Sicily's cultural heritage and drew 215,000 visitors in 2016, contributing more than €2.5 million to tourism. President Laura Anello emphasized the importance of visitor donations and sponsorships. Minister of Culture Dario Franceschini commended the event, connecting it to Palermo's designation as the Italian Capital of Culture for 2018. Notable attractions include the Norman castle of Uscibene, Acquasanta cave, and Europe’s oldest paper document. New venues such as Galleria Regionale di Palazzo Abatellis and Palazzo Mirto will participate, with a free White Night for UNESCO sites planned for the final weekend.
Key facts
- 11th edition of Le Vie dei Tesori festival
- 110 sites open over 5 weekends from Sept 29 to Oct 29, 2017
- Founded in 2006 by local journalists and cultural operators
- 2016 edition: 215,000 visits in 15 days, €2.5 million tourism revenue
- President: Laura Anello
- Supported by visitor contributions and sponsors, minimal public funding
- Network includes municipalities, superintendencies, dioceses, universities, Fondazione Unesco Sicilia
- Minister Dario Franceschini praised the festival at MIBACT presentation
- Highlights: Uscibene castle, Acquasanta cave, Quattro Pizzi villa, Palazzo delle Poste with Benedetta Cappa Marinetti works, Casina Cinese, oldest European paper document, Gabriele springs, scirocco rooms, Arab qanat, paleochristian catacombs
- New institutional participants: Galleria Regionale di Palazzo Abatellis, GAM, RISO, Palazzo Mirto, Palazzo Sant'Elia
- Free White Night for UNESCO Arab-Norman monuments on last weekend
- Contemporary itinerary curated by Paola Nicita
- Concerts by Piano City in unconventional venues
Entities
Artists
- Benedetta Cappa Marinetti
- Giacomo Serpotta
- Ernesto Basile
- Paola Nicita
- Laura Anello
- Dario Franceschini
Institutions
- Le Vie dei Tesori
- MIBACT
- Fondazione Unesco Sicilia
- Galleria Regionale di Palazzo Abatellis
- GAM – Galleria d’Arte Moderna
- RISO
- Palazzo Mirto
- Palazzo Sant'Elia
- Piano City
- Artribune
Locations
- Palermo
- Italy
- Sicily
- Uscibene
- Acquasanta
- Arenella
- Palazzo delle Poste
- Casina Cinese
- Archivio Storico
- Gabriele
- Rome