Museo Virgilio Opens in Mantua's Palazzo del Podestà
On December 6, 2024, the Museo Virgilio opened in Mantua's Palazzo del Podestà, a 13th-century building that served as city hall, courthouse, and prison before being damaged by the 2012 earthquake. Restoration from 2017 to 2023 uncovered a previously unknown fresco cycle, the Ciclo dei Mesi, depicting allegorical seasons and agricultural scenes that echo Virgil's Georgics. The museum, curated by Scuola Holden, combines these frescoes with digital installations, an interactive app (My Virgilio) that assigns visitors a 'Virgilian profile' (Nascosto, Maestro, Epico, Umano), and a final interactive map (Virgilio Glocal) showing Virgil-related sites in Mantua and beyond. Key artifacts include the 12th–13th-century Virgilio in Cattedra sculpture and the 2nd-century BC Trono di Virgilio. The museum embodies Franco Russoli's vision of a museum as an active laboratory.
Key facts
- Museo Virgilio opened December 6, 2024 in Mantua's Palazzo del Podestà.
- Palazzo del Podestà was founded in 1227, served as city hall, courthouse until 1873, prison until 1911.
- The building was damaged by the 2012 earthquake; restoration began in 2017 and ended in 2023.
- Restoration uncovered the Ciclo dei Mesi fresco cycle, previously unknown until 2012.
- The frescoes depict allegorical seasons and agricultural scenes, referencing Virgil's Georgics.
- The museum is curated by Scuola Holden.
- Key artifacts include the Virgilio in Cattedra sculpture (12th–13th century) and the Trono di Virgilio (2nd century BC).
- The My Virgilio app assigns visitors one of four profiles: Nascosto, Maestro, Epico, Umano.
- The Virgilio Glocal map shows Virgil-related sites in Mantua and beyond.
- The museum realizes Franco Russoli's concept of a museum as an active laboratory.
Entities
Artists
- Virgil
- Franco Russoli
- Publio Virgilio Marone
- Veronica Ghizzi
- Laudarengo Martinengo
- Federico II Gonzaga
- Re Artù
Institutions
- Museo Virgilio
- Palazzo del Podestà
- Scuola Holden
- Comune di Mantova
- Museo Tazio Nuvolari
- Museo Learco Guerra
Locations
- Mantua
- Italy
- Piazza delle Erbe
- Mantova
- Italia
- Palazzo del Podestà
- piazza delle Erbe
- piazza del Broletto
- Arengario
- Masseria