The Bronzes of San Casciano arrive at the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria

The gods return to MArRC from Monday 5 August

The National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria (MArRC) hosts the extraordinary exhibition on archaeological treasures from San Casciano dei Bagni. From 5 August, visitors to MArRC have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the fascinating universe of ancient Etruscan and Roman rituals, thanks to the exhibition “Gli dèi ritornano. I bronzi di San Casciano“.
The exhibition presents a rich selection of statues, bronze statuettes, ex-voto and hundreds of coins recovered in the thermal sanctuary of Bagno Grande di San Casciano, in the province of Siena. These finds, found in exceptional conditions thanks to the preservation in the warm thermal waters, carry with them inscriptions in Etruscan and Latin language that offer a wide perspective on ancient religiosity.

After the stop at the Quirinale and the exhibition at MANN in Naples, which attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors, they are presented to the public in the frame of MArRC, home of the Bronzes of Riace, the extraordinary discoveries made in the summer of 2022 and the novelties that came to light in 2023 at the thermal sanctuary of Bagno Grande in San Casciano dei Bagni. A stratigraphic excavation that has brought to light the largest deposit of bronze statues of Etruscan and Roman age ever discovered in ancient Italy and one of the most significant throughout the Mediterranean. Reproductions of anatomical parts, offered to ask the gods for health or thank them for a healing, and statues made according to the canons of the so-called mensura honorata (three Roman feet high, equivalent to about one meter), which depict the deities venerated in the sacred place or the devotees. Most of these valuable finds date from the second and first centuries BC, a period of great historical transformations that sees the definitive romanization of the powerful Etruscan cities.

The exhibition project is the result of collaboration between a plurality of institutions responsible for research, protection and enhancement of heritage: promoted by the Ministry of Culture and curated by the Directorate General Museums of the MiC. The exhibition is curated by Massimo Osanna and Jacopo Tabolli. It was presented at the Palazzo del Quirinale between June and December 2023, and was hosted by MANN from 16 February to 30 June 2024. The installation was designed by Guglielmo Malizia and Chiara Bonanni, Decima Casa – architectural studio.
The excavations are in concession to the Municipality of San Casciano dei Bagni by the General Directorate for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape of the MiC with the protection of the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the provinces of Siena, Grosseto and Arezzo. The scientific coordination is of the University for Foreigners of Siena. The restorations have taken place with the support of the Central Institute of Restoration.