The extended museum
The extended museum, compared to the traditional one, “is a museum based on a deal setting off the willing of a community to take care of a territory”; its visiting itineraries are part of a determined geographic area. Places, events, ancient professions and historical characters are connected throughout theme-based routes. A proper traffic signals system defines the narration in a clear and complete way, in order to describe the distinguishing features of the territory.
The distinctive trait of this museum is that “this is not all”. Citizens have their own active role in adding value to places where they belong and where they have grown up. They become responsible owners of the extended museum throughout meetings, didactic activities and operations of conservation of the cultural heritage, creating a museum of all and for all. According to this particular narrative context, the museum is able to attract tourists and school groups, and to lead them not only to the less known parts of the territory, but also to an area that will let the visitors live an active experience through the places they are going to visit, the features they are going to search, the stories they are going to breath.
How the Extended Museum of Castelfidardo was born
The extended museum is the result of the awareness of some citizens who particularly took care of the historical, artistic and natural heritage of Castelfidardo, to safeguard and protect it. It was realized thanks to the synergy among the local branch of Italia Nostra, the Municipal administration, the local historians and the fundamental contribution of Doctor Massimo Coltrinari.
The museum is part of a bigger project which includes a more complete exhibition regarding the cultural and environmental heritage, the International Museum of the Fisarmonica, the ancient industries of harmonicas, the Fisarmonica of the Guinness Records, the ancients water springs, the churches, the Medieval historic center, the characters and the events of the town along the centuries. The visitors could choose some specific thematic itineraries by browsing the following websites:
The itinerary of the Risorgimento refers to the Battle of Castelfidardo of 18th September 1860 for the Italian Union, to the monuments settled around the town and to the battlefield area itself. While doing research for its construction it was inevitable to find connections among the event itself, the territory and some characters who have been extremely important for our community.
The itinerary includes:
Exhibition halls with the historic library located into palazzo Ciriaco Mordini, and the Hall of the coats of arms, “great hall of the Municipality building of Castelfidardo”, where it is possible to admire the famous painting of Giovanni Gallucci, iconographic symbol of the Battle of Castelfidardo.
The National Monument of Le Marche to “the Victorious of Castelfidardo”, together with its park located at 1 km from the center over the hill of Monte Cucco, its fountains, staircases, and little avenues surrounded by the majestic gates of the bay tree.
The Ossuary-Memorial Monument to the Piedmontese and Papal soldiers located in the battle area at 4 km from the center.
The battlefield area with the farms, the pathways, the memorial stones describing the stages of the battle and the rivers Aspio and Musone.
Villa Ferretti of Castelferretto (former Casino Sciava) where the Papal General Georges de Pimodan died. The Villa is also the location of the Ferretti’s Art Collection.
The Selva of Castelfidardo, regional protected area and S.P.Z. area (special protected zone) where a crucial part of the battle took place and the hill of Mountain San Pellegrino where the Sardinian-Piedmontese artillery was settled during the clash.
