Fili d'Oro a Palazzo (Golden Yarns at the Palace)

 Renaissance fashion and poetry at Rangoni Palace,  permanent exhibition of Renaissance-style clothes
(Via Tasso n.28 - historic centre - Castelvetro di Modena)

The Palace was built with the Castle (between the VII and the IX century) but only when Castelvetro became the capital of Rangoni family’s fief (XV century) it was expanded and acquired strong residential and representative character. During the Renaissance it was enriched by decorations attributed to the painter Scaccieri and that can still be admiredon the ceilings of some rooms: at the ground level in the “Hall of the Dolphins”, on the first floor in the “Bear Room”. In the “Little angels hall” and in the “Tasso room” there are some noteworthy monochromatic medallions referring to Torquato Tasso’s most famous poems (the Aminta and the Jerusalem Delivered) and four paintings by Ferdinando Manzini (1817-1886) representing various moments in the life of the poet. The exhibition is dedicated to the stay in Castelvetro of Torquato Tasso when he was hosted by the Marquis Fulvio Rangoni. These gorgeous Renaissance-style clothes, with their precious embroiders, sik stuffs, velvets, satins, feathered hats, headdresses are hand-embroidered with great skill and care by the “Dama Vivente” voluntary association and can be admired in a high charm and evocative environment. The rooms of Palazzo Rangoni constitute the suitable frame to empathies the elegance of the clothes that mutual exalt the beauty of the rooms. In collaboration with the Municipality of Castelvetro the Association organizes, each September, an historical commemoration: “Dama Vivente” (Living Draughts), a draughts game with real players in old-fashioned dresses is played in the charming checkerboard square of Castelvetro and alternates with “Festa a Castello” (Party at the Castle), an historical reconstruction of a rich Renaissance banquet which can be accessed only by wearing clothes in renaissance style. Musicians, fire-eaters, gypsies and dances from the past entertain guests during the feast. In the afternoon the historical parade promenades across the streets of the village.
For more information about “Dama Vivente” Association visit the website: web.tiscali.it/damavivente

Opening hours:
Every Sunday
Winter time (from October to March)
from 3.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Summertime (from April to September)
from 3.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
(closed in July and August: open only under reservation for groups up to 5 persons)

Info and reservations:
Tourist Information Office - Consorzio Castelvetro V.I.T.A
ph. + 39 059 758880
Municipality of Castelvetro – Cultural Office
ph. + 39 059 758818 - 059 758836

The Municipal Acetaia

At the second floor of Rangoni Palace are kept the batteries of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar. In the Acetaia is possible to taste balsamic vinegar and to make guided visits to discover the traditional method of production.

Opening hours:
on last Sunday of each month
Winter time (from October to March)
from 3.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Summertime (from April to September)
from 3.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.
(closed in July and August: open only under reservation for groups up to 5 persons)

MUS.A Museum of the Absurd
(Access from the garden adjacent to the library, Via Cavedoni,14 – historic centre - Castelvetro di Modena)

Just a short distance from the Oratory of St. Anthony of Padua, inside the library courtyard, there’s the MusA – Museum of the Absurd, an exhibition dedicated to modern and contemporary art that houses a fine collection of contemporary art works, on show both inside and outside. Founded in 2002 its main intent was to make permanent the suggestions generated by “Mercurdo”, an event organized by Mercurdo Association dedicated to the concept of absurd, which is taking place in Castelvetro from several years; the second aim considers this new museum, as an opportunity to contribute and to deepen the debate on contemporary art. The outdoor section was carried out thanks to a privileged relationship with Art Institutes, Academies and Institutional Circuits. It hosts among other works, “Un tuffo in una goccia” by Rossella Tauro; "Mi mangio, ti mangi si mangia" by Lucas Diaz Gundin and “E che busto…” by Alessandro Neretti, implemented in conjunction with the State Institute for Ceramics “Gaetano Ballardini” in Faenza. The street forniture and the boundary mesh of the courtyard have been interpreted from an “absurd” point of view, this is evident in the signs "Panni stesi" (by Sara Balzani and Nicola Zamboni), “Poggio attonito” by Antonio Sorrentino and “La lisca” by Pietro Belotti. The gallery is displayed in three internal sections; the first and the third museum room are designed for accommodate the permanent collection dedicated to “Absurd as a Metaphor of Existence” and “Absurd as a Neo-Baroque Game”. The central hall accommodate extemporaneous expositions: “The Poetry Object” is taken care of by Valerio Dehò that demonstrates the need of the neo-avant-gardes (from the 50s of the twentieth century onwards) to break the academic distinctions between arts, creating sculptures made of words in which the relationship between the object’s plasticity and words is essential to define the work of art. So the written word becomes an object while remaining basically a text.

From December 18, 2011 the Museum of the Absurd will be closed for refurbishment
From March/April 2012 it will be open by appointment only

Info and reservations:
Tourist Information Office - Consorzio Castelvetro V.I.T.A
ph. + 39 059 758880
Municipality of Castelvetro – Cultural Office
ph. + 39 059 758818 - 059 758836