Zafferano Piceno funds new museum for earthquake-hit Arquata del Tronto

Following the devastating August 24, 2016 earthquake that destroyed much of central Italy, including Arquata del Tronto, Amatrice, Norcia, and Accumoli, the town is still rebuilding. Ancient sculptures and historic paintings were recovered from damaged churches and moved to the Diocese and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage of the Marche Region for safekeeping; only a few have returned to two prefabricated chapels. Now, the initiative 'Un Cuore per Ripartire' aims to build a dedicated museum for these artworks. Zafferano Piceno, in agreement with the Diocese and the Superintendence, is selling Christmas gift baskets filled with local delicacies to raise funds for a Museum of Cultural Heritage in Arquata del Tronto, which would reunite the entire collection. Roberto Tomasone, patron of Zafferano Piceno, states that the museum will boost tourism and benefit local agricultural businesses also hit by the earthquake. Don Nazzareno Gaspari, parish priest of Arquata del Tronto, thanks the promoters and emphasizes that the museum will restore the town's historical, artistic, and cultural memory by bringing back the lost artworks, to which residents are deeply attached, amid slow reconstruction.