Pinacoteca Civica showcases Italian artworks, including those by artists from the Calabria region, in a beautiful exhibition space inside a local theater. Examine paintings and sculptures dating from between the 15th and 20th centuries, including two panel paintings by the influential 15th-century Italian artist Antonello da Messina.
The museum’s collection grew out of that belonging to an older municipal museum, which was open from 1882 to 1948. Many new works, mostly modern pieces, have been added to the original pieces. Find the exhibits inside the first floor of the Teatro Comunale Francesco Cilea, which was built in the 1920s and renovated in the early 2000s. The central hall, in particular, has a lavish design with faux marble details, gilded borders and Murano glass chandeliers.
Stroll through the museum’s 15 exhibition spaces, which display paintings in chronological order. Room one contains the two most prized pieces in the whole collection, the two wooden tablets by Antonello da Messina. Believed to have been painted in about 1460, they are some of the oldest works in the museum’s collection. Both have religious themes, with one showing a penitent St. Jerome and the other depicting three angels visiting Abraham.
Continue on to room two to see works on wood dating from between the 15th and 17th centuries. This room also features a 16th-century marble sculpture depicting the Greek and Roman mythological figure of Laocoön who, according to legend, was attacked by serpents sent from the gods.
Follow the changing styles of art throughout the centuries as you make your way around the displays. Pay special attention to areas nine and ten, where 20th-century works by Calabrian artists, including Rubens Santoro and Enzo Benedetto, are hung.
Pinacoteca Civica is located in central Reggio di Calabria in the same building as the Teatro Comunale Francesco Cilea. Visit between Tuesday and Sunday note that the museum closes for an hour in the middle of the day. Entrance is free and the museum is wheelchair accessible.
