After thirteen years, the "Giovanni Patroni" museum reopens its doors in a completely renovated and expanded space, ready to welcome visitors and students to discover the archaeological treasures from Nora and the surrounding area. The museum, designed by architect Jari Franceschetto with the collaboration of the scientific curators of the Archaeological Superintendency, Emanuela Atzeni and Chiara Pilo, now offers nine exhibition rooms, much larger than the previous two, and an educational laboratory where the public can observe the restoration of the artifacts firsthand.
Its management is entrusted to the Pula Cultura Diffusa Foundation, under the direction of Isabella Atzeni. The museum is part of a cultural network that includes the Nora Archaeological Park, the Torre del Coltellazzo, and the small church of Sant'Efisio, offering a comprehensive overview of the various historical periods that have shaped the area. Among the artifacts on display are those recovered during the latest excavation campaign in Nora, which will be open to the public starting April 4th, with free admission for schools and residents during the first few days of opening.
For Mayor Walter Cabasino, the reopening isn't a return to previous activities, but the inauguration of a truly new museum: "The exhibition spaces have increased tenfold, and the museum is destined to grow further. We have acquired adjacent properties and will soon acquire others from private individuals, with the aim of making this facility a cultural landmark for the area. It is the result of an institutional collaboration between the Municipality, the Superintendency, the Region, and the Foundation." According to Councilor for Culture, Manuela Serra, the Patroni Museum represents "a window into the past of Pula and Sardinia, a treasure that enriches the local and international community and strengthens Nora's cultural prestige."
The exhibition spaces are organized into thematic areas, illustrated by archaeologist Chiara Pilo, which recount the public and religious life, the necropolis, and the places of worship of the ancient city. Andrea Boi, president of the Pula Cultura Diffusa Foundation, emphasizes that the museum complements the area's cultural offerings and will contribute to further increasing visitor numbers, which have already grown to the Nora Archaeological Park from 65,000 annual visitors to over 100,000 in the last three years. Finally, the regional councilor for culture, Ilaria Portas, emphasizes the importance of every cultural asset: "Our tangible and intangible assets must be preserved and enhanced to be passed on to future generations."
