Morgantina Archaeological Park & Villa Romana del Casale: cultural initiatives and promotion

The Park as a cultural and promotional hub

The Morgantina Archaeological Park – Villa Romana del Casale is expanding its role as a cultural and tourist driver for inland Sicily through a coordinated programme of local, national and international activities.

Main sites and heritage

• Villa Romana del Casale (UNESCO site since 1997), renowned for its mosaics;
• Morgantina and the Archaeological Museum of Aidone, home to the famous Goddess of Morgantina;
• The Philosofiana site (Mazzarino) and the Runzi area (Pietraperzia), both yielding key archaeological finds.

Domestic programme: events and highlights

The Park and the Municipalities of the Technical-Scientific Committee promote activities to enhance archaeological assets and local traditions. Key appointments include:

• Press conference to present the cultural plan: Tuesday, March 10 at 10:30, Palazzo Trigona, Piazza Armerina. Mayors, tourism councillors, the Park director and TV host Diego Caltabiano will attend.
• "Sicilia in Festa" TV programme: third edition broadcast live from Teatro Garibaldi in Piazza Armerina, featuring weekly episodes on local traditions and territories.
• Classical theatre festival at Morgantina, scheduled for July, produced with the Municipality of Aidone and Michele Di Dio Management. The festival will be presented in Rome on March 11 at the Senate.

International promotion

International outreach is managed by a dedicated team and includes participation in major tourism fairs and missions to attract visitors to the Park's sites. Recent stops include Hamburg, Utrecht and Budapest, with upcoming engagements in Paris, Barcelona, Mumbai and Montreal.

A prominent institutional mission to Paris is planned from March 13 to 15, featuring meetings at the Italian Embassy, participation at the International Tourism Fair, and a technical meeting at the Petit Palais to plan a six-month international exhibition.

Sponsored by Renaissance Exhibitions, the exhibition will showcase important finds from recent excavations at the Villa Romana del Casale, including the well-known artifact nicknamed the "Infradito" and other key pieces from the Park.

Goals and strategy

The joint initiative seeks to enhance the archaeological and cultural heritage of inland Sicily, raise visibility at national and international levels, and support cultural tourism development across the participating municipalities.

Practical information for visitors

• To attend public events such as press conferences and presentations, check official notices from the Park or municipal tourist offices for times and venues.
• Summer theatre programmes and major exhibitions may require advance booking; check availability and access rules before visiting.
• Useful contacts: the Archaeological Park offices and municipal tourist desks for guided visits, tickets and visitor services.

In summary: the integrated programme of regional, national and international activities underlines the commitment to promote and safeguard the monuments of inland Sicily, creating new opportunities for visitors and local communities.