An unexpected and surprising way to approach and learn about the world of archeology – through exclusive visits accompanied by exceptional experts and guides or by engaging in an excavation campaign – is the proposal that the FAI – Italian Environment Fund ETS presents on Friday 14, Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June as part of the 2024 edition of the “European Days of Archaeology”, managed by Inrap, the National Institute of Preventive Archaeological Research of France (Institut national de recherches archèologiques prèventives) and organized in Italy by the Ministry of Culture – General Directorate of Museums and General Directorate of Archaeology, fine arts and landscape. The event, which will take place in various member states of the Council of Europe, will allow visitors to participate in special guided tours with experts, access activities dedicated to children and adults and conferences with specialists in the sector, in collaboration with universities and superintendencies that they work in the area.
There are seven FAI archaeological assets involved in numerous initiatives (detailed program to follow): the Abbey of Santa Maria di Cerrate in Lecce and that of San Fruttuoso in Camogli (GE), Villa Gregoriana Park in Tivoli (RM), the Bay of Ieranto in Massa Lubrense (NA), the Garden of Kolymbethra in the Valley of the Temples of Agrigento, the Monastery of Torba in Gornate Olona (VA) and Casa Noha in Matera, sites that well represent a cross-section of the past frequentation of the national territory and the whose variety and location will allow you to take a journey along the country to discover different eras, uses and customs and the way in which man has lived and modified places and structures to adapt them to his needs. In some properties the doors will exceptionally be opened to areas that cannot be visited, to talk about recent discoveries and learn more about the history of the ancient population of the territories.
Many initiatives involve the Garden of Kolymbethra in the Valley of the Temples of Agrigento, a rare archaeological and agricultural jewel, an extraordinary place in the land of Sicily which tells, with its finds and hypogea excavated 2500 years ago, the history of ancient Akragas .
On Saturday 15 June, at 9.30 and 11.30, a special guided tour entitled The plants of the gods in the Garden of Kolymbethra will take place, an itinerant itinerary that tells for the first time how the Garden, which stands in the heart of the sacred area of the Archaeological and Landscape Park of the Valley of the Temples of Agrigento, guards sacred plants dear to the ancients, in the company of Claudia Lambrugo, archaeologist and professor of Classical Archeology at the University of Milan, and Maria Ala, forestry doctor and services manager educational courses of Kolymbethra, which will reveal the secrets of myrtle, pomegranate, olive and laurel.
In the meantime, children will be able to participate at 10 am in the Il piccolo archaeologist workshop, to discover techniques and methodologies from true experts in the profession, with guided reconnaissance and excavation activities. Thanks to the help of game cards to fill in, the little ones will be able to scientifically reconstruct the life, habits and customs of ancient peoples. Activity suitable for children aged 6 to 12 years. Duration: 1.5 hours.
A rich and precious cultural heritage, the archaeological one, in which the FAI constantly proposes study and research activities as well as promoting events and appointments which aim to also tell this most hidden side of the Heritage as well as attention to in-depth which pushes the Foundation to continue the investigation.
The Kolymbethra Garden was entrusted to the FAI by the Sicilian Region in 1999. The “Events in the FAI Heritage 2024” events calendar is made possible thanks to the fundamental support of Ferrarelle, partner of the institutional events and official water of the FAI and to the contribution of Pirelli, alongside the FAI since 2006, which renews its historic closeness to the initiative for the twelfth year and of Delicius which confirms its support for the project for the fourth year.
