Library and Pinacoteca Zelantea (Biblioteca e Pinacoteca Zelantea) description and photos - Italy: Acireale (Sicily) (Topic)

Library and Pinacoteca Zelantea (Biblioteca e Pinacoteca Zelantea) description and photos - Italy: Acireale (Sicily). Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Biblioteca e Pinacoteca Zelantea.

Photo and description

Library and Pinakothek Zelantea attracts attention by its name, similar to the name of the mythical muse. This is exactly what - Zelantea - is the name of the extensive library and art gallery in Acireale, one of the city's cultural attractions. The monumental building in which they are housed is located on Via Sangiuliano. It was built in the 19th century by the engineer Mariano Panebianco, one of the greatest minds of his time in the history of Sicily.

However, the history of the creation of the library goes back even further and dates back to 1716. Today it is considered one of the richest libraries in southern Italy - over 250 thousand volumes of books are kept here, as well as numerous manuscripts, brochures, magazines and documents.

The beginning of the art gallery, in turn, it was laid in 1851. The initiator of its creation was Paolo Leonardo Pennizi, who donated his collection of paintings, sketches and sculptures to the Academy of Arts. Paolo Leonardo II, who also donated a number of works of art, followed Pennizi's example later. This was the beginning of the tradition, which all Acireale painters sacredly observed - to transfer part of their works to the gallery for the benefit of society. Today, it contains numerous works of undoubted historical and artistic value and dating from the second half of the 16th century - the first half of the 20th century. Among the artists represented, one can distinguish Giacinto Platania, who is considered the father of the local painting school, Matteo Ragonis, Pietro Paolo Vasta, Emanuele Grasso, Sara Spina and others. There are also works by world-renowned masters - Durer, Morelli, Van Dyck.

Also noteworthy is the section of sculptures, especially the composition depicting the shepherdess Achi and the nymph Galatea in love with him - the heroes of the myth about the founding of Acireale. This composition was made in 1846 for an exhibition in Palermo.

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Topic: Library and Pinacoteca Zelantea (Biblioteca e Pinacoteca Zelantea) description and photos - Italy: Acireale (Sicily).