The exhibition, composed of twenty unpublished works on the theme of motherhood, combined with photographic shots by Roberto Lusito, is also made up of seventeen drawings and works that are part of the permanent exhibition of the diocesan museum structure, the object of the donation dedicated to the two daughters Mara and Diana. The critical texts and the catalog are edited by Mons. Pietro Maria Fragnelli and Anna D’Elia, supported by the poetic verses of the well-known journalist Enzo Quarto, collected in a valuable catalog published by La Nuova Mezzina.
With the start of the summer season and the restoration and conservative rehabilitation works of the external wall facings and the bell tower of the Parish of Santa Maria Assunta in the Cathedral, the opening hours of the Diocesan Museum are changing, open from Tuesday to Sunday from 6pm to 9pm with free access at the show. Guided tours are scheduled on Saturday evening at 7.30 pm for holders of the Tesori d’Arte Sacra Card.
The recovery works of the bell tower, built at the beginning of the seventeenth century and then raised in 1790, are entrusted to the Rossi Restauri company of Turi (Bari) and supported by the contributions provided for by LR n.31/2001 – Restoration interventions Public or public works interest damaged by natural disasters. Investment contributions to private social institutions.
The tower, which originally had arched openings at the base and was isolated from the perimeter wall of the church on at least three sides, was merged with the structure subsequently destined for the Episcopal Seminary in 1748 during the expansion phases of the Jesuit College and is today exposed on the small road that allows access to the diocesan museum and library, commissioned by Monsignor Antonucci at the end of the eighteenth century, when after the expulsion of the Jesuits from the Kingdom of Naples, the church of the ancient college became a cathedral in 1785.
Since 1847 the bell tower was equipped with new and larger bells which will soon return to festively accompany the travelers of Via Entica della Chiesa, handing over to future generations a heritage of art and faith to be known and protected.
