The story of a castle stone, stronger than war and centuries
But this small community, enclosed by the tight embrace of my sisters made of terracotta, has never allowed outside forces to conquer it completely. Today Civitella, drawing on its rich artistic heritage, from the Cisterna to Palazzo Pretorio, up to the “Madonna and Child” (1522) produced by the Della Robbia school, has found its true calling: to serve as an open-air museum. It has become a picturesque setting, perfect for contemporary artists’ use. Contemporary art comes here in waves, through the sculpture exhibition “(S)oggetivamente” and the Premio Nazionale di Pittura “Città di Civitella” (the City of Civitella National Painting Prize). Now, all of the stones in the town are museums, and every corner is an exhibition space. These contemporary art festivals allow visitors to experience a unique blend: the evocative power of contemporary art, combined with the traditional settings of squares, town walls, medieval streets and more. With everything that I’ve experienced and seen here, I think that I can rightfully say that this period is the most beautiful incarnation of our Civitella that we’ve seen yet....