24th of August, 2016. A strong earthquake hits central Italy. On the 26th and 30th of October another earthquake “hurts” Norcia and the surrounding area. The Basilica of St. Benedict, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Argentea, all the churches of the city and its surroundings are destroyed. Among those killed by the shock of August 24th that took place in Accumoli there is an entire family, including a baby, who will be the youngest victim of the drama.
The monks and the population pray on their knees in the square, under the statue of the saint who founded the Benedictine order. A beauty that was wound, torn by pain in the soul of citizens, and visible in the remains of the rubble. Following the earthquake, the surrounding institutions secured the territory’s artworks. Two months after the earthquake, some of these masterpieces, stored into deposits, will again be shown to the public to tell the wound suffered by the cultural heritage of the area of Norcia.
“About thirty artworks will be restored- said the rector of the Opera Metropolitana Siena, Gianfranco Indrizzi – although the number may vary over the months.If the restoration will start for some of them, then they will be replaced by others.”
The spirit of solidarity arises from the historical and spiritual bond of the two cities, which gave birth to Santa Caterina and San Benedetto. San Bernardo Tolomei, founder of the Benedictine Congregation of Santa Maria di Monte Oliveto, was born in Siena too. The artworks damaged by the earthquake will be hosted by the city of Siena and protected inside her womb: in the “Crypt” under the cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin Mary; and through the halls of Santa Maria della Scala, a place of reception to both pilgrims and the sick, abandoned children, the gittatelli, even to the indigent without food or roof. The exhibition provides a route through the masterpieces that were first kept in churches and shrines. Thanks to a series of videos, granted by the National Corps of Firemen, and photographic materials of local photojournalist, you will see the recovery phase of the works after the earthquake.
The documentary exhibitionwas set up by the Archbishop of Spoleto-Norcia, S.E. Mons. Renato Boccardo, in collaboration with the Superintendence of Umbria directed by Dr. MaricaMercalli, and promoted by the Cultural Heritage of the Archdiocese of Siena, directed by Don Andrea Bechi, the Rector of the Opera Metropolitana Siena Gian Franco Indrizzi, and supported by the Mayor of Siena, Bruno Valentini, with the organization of work-Civita. The initiative is also managed by Father Abbot Bernardo Gianni, Abbazia San Miniato al Monte.
The project allows the presentation of the territory of Norcia and its artworks to a wide audience that arrive every day in the city of Siena, making know to international tourism known the dramatic reality of the earthquake zone, but also the strong civic pride of the people who inhabit them. Earthquakes mean destruction, but theycan also be seen from an artistic point of view. They symbolize a strong aesthetic and symbol value, able to convey a message to the local population as well asto a wider audience: the earthquake didn’t stop us and we are now ready to start again. Norcia, damaged to the bone, screams now a rebirth.
The promoters and organizers have designed a monetary contribution to the Archdiocese of Spoleto-Norcia for restoration and reconstruction phases.
Opening days
CRIPTA
23/12/2016 – 29/10/2017 Everyday
SANTA MARIA DELLA SCALA
23/12/2016 – 6/1/2017 Everyday
7/1/2017 – 31/01/2017 Every day except Tuesday
1/02/2017- 28/02/2017Â Saturday and Sunday
1/03/2017- 14/03/2017 Every day except Tuesday
15/03/2017- 15/10/2017 Everyday
16/10/2017- 29/10/2017 Every day except Tuesday
Closed on 25th of December
Tickets
Santa Maria della Scala including Bellezza Ferita € 9,00
Cripta including Bellezza Ferita € 8,00
Combined ticket (to visit the two exhibition sites and the museum complex of  Duomo di Siena e Santa Maria della Scala) € 18,00
Info and booking
bellezzaferita@operalaboratori.com; +39 0577 286300