Reggio Calabria: exhibition and conference for the return of 'The

Exhibition and conference for the painting's return

On 17 April the Diocesan Museum of Reggio Calabria opens an exhibition and holds a conference to mark the return of the painting The Vision of Saint Prospero, painted in 1910 by local artist Cirillo Manicardi and recently restored thanks to funding from Gruppo Credem.

The canvas was commissioned by Mons. Emilio Cottafavi during relief efforts following the 1908 earthquake. After being saved from a 1920 fire and moved several times, it was recovered in 2021 by the Carabinieri Cultural Heritage Protection Unit in Cosenza and returned to the Reggio Diocese.

Program and highlights

The event features two main parts: the display of the restored work alongside a documentary section curated by the State Archives of Reggio Calabria, and a conference with talks by historians and specialists.

• 17:00: exhibition opening with the restored painting and archival materials on display.
• 17:30: conference begins, with presentations on the city’s historical and social context after the 1908 earthquake.

Speakers will address topics such as post-earthquake reconstruction, the local Church’s role, Don Luigi Orione’s work, and sacred art and architecture from the late 19th to early 20th century. Conservators involved in the restoration will also present technical aspects of the intervention.

Practical information

• Venue: Diocesan Museum of Reggio Calabria.
• Date: 17 April 2026.
• Participation benefits: professional credits for registered architects and certificates for ISSR students.

The initiative is promoted by the dioceses of Reggio Emilia-Guastalla and Reggio Calabria-Bova and is supported by several cultural and institutional bodies. The exhibition is an opportunity to explore the intersection of artistic heritage, local history and the conservation efforts that enabled the painting’s recovery and public display.