The Museo e Biblioteca Renzi (“Renzi Museum and Library”) was founded in the post-unification period by Archpriest Don Francesco Renzi. While it is the oldest museum in Romagna as well as one of the first to have been established in Italy and Europe, its recent rearrangement has made it into a modern and advanced cultural venue on both a local and regional level. This upgrade was made possible thanks to the efforts of the municipal government of Borghi as well as of various universities and regional and national cultural institutes (the Istituto per i Beni Artistici, Culturali e Naturali della Regione Emilia-Romagna and the Soprintendenze per i Beni Archeologici e Architettonici). The Museum holds and exhibits interesting artifacts that span all eras of human history in this very important section of Romagna between the Marecchia and Rubicon Rivers. The original collection dates to the middle of the nineteenth century; it came into being thanks to the collaboration of a number of distinguished scholars working during the Risorgimento period. Indeed a famous archeologist, Senator Giuseppe Fiorelli, was responsible for the procuring the status of legal entity for the Museum under the name “Museo e Biblioteca Renzi” (Royal Decree of March 5, 1885, of King Umberto I of Savoy). The entrance to the Museum is located precisely below the arch of the Porta Est, incorporated into an enchanting structure of great historical interest, which has been completely restored: this is the former town hall, a palace which once formed part of the architectural complex that was fortified by the Malatesta and which dates to the 13th century. Recently the Museo Renzi received the Quality Museum award from the Region of Emilia-Romagna in recognition of the innovation of its displays, the quality of its services and the value of the artifacts which it holds. The museum was further praised for the services it provides to the public, in particular its comprehensive educational efforts, which render it completely accessible to a wide spectrum of users. The exhibit is quite original and innovative, especially with regard to its dramatic reconstruction of customs, objects and scenes of daily life. It further employs display panels, detailed descriptions, videos, multimedia platforms and projections. The collection is divided into several sections: the natural section contains paleontological and geological artifacts; the pre- and protohistoric section displays objects relative to the Copper Age as well as to Bronze- and Iron-Age cultures, the forerunners of Etruscan civilization; the Roman section exhibits pottery, ornamental objects, unguentaria, tombstones and sculptures; the section dedicated to the early medieval parish church shows architectural relics and devotional objects; the medieval and modern section contains architectural relics, signets, medals pertaining to the Malatesta, weaponry, various instruments, prints (including exemplars by Dürer, Rosaspina and Clouet), paintings and old maps; the section dedicated to majolica, finally, displays exemplars of the 14th to the 18th centuries.
The Museum also functions as a research center and carries out initiatives that at times reach beyond the frontiers of its immediate community: it is involved in the publication of books as well as the organization of exhibitions, workshops, educational labs, meetings and conferences in every cultural field. Among such initiatives was the Museum’s participation in an important project of EXPO Milano 2015.
Timetable
WINTER OPENING HOURS (from October 1st to March 31st):
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday closed; Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.; Friday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m./ 2:00 p.m.– 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday and Holidays 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. / 2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
SUMMER OPENING HOURS (from April 1st to September 30st):
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday closed; Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; Friday 9:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m./3:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday and Holidays 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. /3:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Guided tours can be arranged for any time or day with prior reservations.
Informazioni
(Italiano)
