In Sicily, museums and parks open for free to remember Sebastiano Tusa

The Sicilian Region dedicates March 10 to the cultural heritage of the Island. The day, which coincides with the anniversary of the passing of archaeologist Sebastiano Tusa, becomes a moment of collective participation. On this occasion, access to museums, archaeological parks, and regional cultural sites will be free, accompanied by events and special initiatives designed to engage citizens, families, and students.

«Tusa's figure, a world-renowned scholar and servant of the institutions - said Francesco Paolo Scarpinato, the regional assessor for Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity - continues to represent a reference point for a cultural policy based on research, protection, and enhancement. This day is not just a memory, but a concrete commitment. We want Sicilian heritage to be increasingly accessible and a protagonist of a growth project that starts from our roots to build new opportunities».

Syracuse Archaeological Park: 'Museums by Night', extraordinary opening of the regional archaeological museum 'Paolo Orsi' and the open-air exhibition of the villa Landolina park, from 7:00 PM to 11:30 PM (with last access at 10:30 PM).

Palazzo Montalbo in Palermo, Regional Center for Design and Restoration (Crpr): guided tours at 9:30 AM and 12:00 PM to the library of 14 thousand volumes and the diagnostic and restoration laboratories. Two guided tour shifts of 20 people per group are planned. 

Salinas Archaeological Museum in Palermo: free educational visit to the museum's collections organized by CoopCulture at 11:00 AM. 

The tour will guide visitors to discover the history of the site, home to prestigious collections and unique works from some of the most famous archaeological sites in Sicily.

Regional Gallery of Palazzo Abatellis in Palermo: at 10:30 AM, guided tour of the recently displayed 16th-century embroidered saddle in the green room and two guided tours, at 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM, to the gallery's collections.

Riso Museum of Palermo: at 11 AM press conference presenting the project "Cantiere cultura e del contemporaneo. Idee, esperienze e visioni sulla società di oggi. A series of meetings at the Riso Museum of Palermo"; at 4 PM educational visit through the collection of the great international artist Richard Long, curated by CoopCulture.

Archaeological Park of Himera, Solunto and Iato: Guided tour at 9 AM for local schools to the deposits of the Antiquarium Minissi; at 11 AM at the Temple of Victory and Pirro Marconi Museum; at 3 PM to the deposits of the Antiquarium Minissi; at 4:30 PM at the Temple of Victory and Pirro Marconi Museum.

Regional Museum of Natural History of Palazzo d'Aumale in Terrasini: at 5 PM guided visit to the exhibition "L’Opra dietro le quinte. A historical collection of Sicilian puppets," curated by Simona Pandolfo. The puppeteer Pietro Scalisi will be present.

Archaeological Park of Segesta: appointment starting at 9:00 AM with the project "Cum grano salis" which will combine the research of ancient crops with contemporary art. Local communities will participate in the planting of 5 hectares of land within the Park. The wheat will become flour and then pasta under the Helimos brand in memory of the ancient peoples native to the area. The field will have a terrace that will host artworks dedicated to the cults of abundance. Sebastiano Tusa loved to repeat that without wheat and grapes, a piece of human history would be missing and there would be no archaeology. 

Archaeological and Landscape Park of the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento: educational visit at 4 PM, organized by the archaeologists of CoopCulture to the Hellenistic-Roman district of Agrigento and the dedicated rooms at the Griffo Museum. The visit lasts 90 minutes at a cost of 5 euros, with a total of 30 available spots, while access to the museum and the Hellenistic-Roman district is free on the commemorative day established in memory of the archaeologist.

Archaeological Park of Selinunte, Caves of Cusa and Pantelleria: guided tour at 10:30 "The archaeologist tells: the secrets of the temples of Selinunte" conducted by experts from Coopculture among the monumental remains on the eastern hill. The experience will also be an opportunity to discover the secrets behind the construction of these places of worship. During the tour, it will be possible to learn about the different phases of construction, from the quarry to the installation of the stone blocks, transportation, machinery, lifting and measuring systems; at 12 in the auditorium "Falcone and Borsellino", at the baglio Florio, within the archaeological park of Selinunte, screening of the docufilm by Folco Quilici "An island in time". At the same time, the same film will be screened in the municipal council hall of Pantelleria.

Lilibeo Park in Marsala: starting at 17 conversation titled "Day for Sicilian cultural heritage in memory of Sebastiano Tusa". The Lillibeo museum recounts its commitment to remembering the work of the famous archaeologist in research made tangible by the marine finds located in the museum such as the late Roman ship "Marausa 1" and the ram "Egadi 13".

“Agostino Pepoli” Museum in Trapani: guided tour at 16 of the exhibition "The Nativity of Mary. Art and tradition in Trapani". 

Archaeological Park of Catania and the Valley of Aci: extraordinary opening in the morning of the Portico of the Athlete (hypogeal site on Via Crociferi) from 9 to 13.

Archaeological Park of Tindari:

- Antiquarium of Tindari, exhibition of Tindari coins donated by lawyer Giovanni Sciacca.

- Archaeological area of Patti Marina, open restoration of the mosaic floor of Dionysus.

- Archaeological area of Tusa, open site for the archaeological excavation of the Hellenistic theater.

- Guided tours to discover the archaeological sites of Milazzo, Tindari, Patti, Capo d’Orlando, a program of reading and in-depth study of the mosaics.

Superintendency of Cultural and Environmental Heritage of Caltanissetta: guided tour from 10 to 12 at the Orto Fontanelle site in Gela with the collaboration of the Municipality of Gela. The results of the preventive archaeology excavation, still ongoing, at the "Orto Fontanelle" site where the Municipality is building the cultural center will be illustrated. The visit will be conducted by archaeologist Gianluca Calà.