Sorrento
While staying for a few days in Sorrento this summer, I took time to visit the Museo Correale di Terranova. This opened in 1924, the result of Count Alfredo Correale and his brother Pompeo, donating their works of art, housed in the Villa alla Rota, an impressive eighteenth-century residence.
The museum collection is on show across four floors, twenty-four rooms in total. There is also a garden which can be accessed from the entrance hall and can also be enjoyed from the balconies of each floor which overlook it. It is a wonderful location and made for some great photos. I don’t think I will ever tire of seeing lemon trees.
I was delighted with this opportunity to view the paintings of artists I wasn’t aware of, along with many timepieces and a couple of pianos which are my favourite things in museums. There was also one of the most ornate writing desks I’ve ever seen. It’s hard to imagine all these treasures were in the possession of one family, and it’s great to see these are now available to view for free. Imagine my surprise when I realised the one hundred page museum guide (in Italian), printed on glossy paper and packed full of pictures of the exhibits is also free. I had to ask twice at the desk when I attempted to pay for it. A fantastic souvenir and one I always like to have to refer back to. I take a lot of pictures – along with the information tags beside the exhibits to remind me of what I’ve seen – but I’m old school and much prefer a book.
There are many paintings throughout the museum, along with one floor packed full of examples by Giacinto Gigante, Teodoro Duclere and Anton Sminck Pitloo. Other highlights include a highly decorative concert room with an impressive black grand piano, the top floor dedicated to porcelain, and the basement containing examples of Roman sculpture. The garden features a red bench with the words ‘More Art no violence’ daubed in white on it.
I managed to fit in a quick visit to a museum showcasing examples of inlaid wood (Museobottega Della Tarsialignea) which hadn’t been on my agenda but was well worth it. This contains an astonishing array of furniture and ornaments with the most elaborate decoration using inlaid wood to produce various patterns and designs across the surface of each item. The craftsmanship that has gone into producing these pieces had me lost for words. A real hidden gem down a backstreet.
The third museum I visited was the Sorrento Experience Museum. This provides fascinating background to the area, detailing the history through several interactive exhibits including a room dedicated to the eruption of Vesuvius in 79AD. This museum has a guide who introduces each exhibit and talks you through the detail. I hadn’t realised and wandered off myself as I tend to do, only to discover that the lights weren’t on and the guide had to come and find me and accompany me back to the start. It’s not a busy place and there was only a couple from the States visiting at the same time, so it was quite a relaxed tour. The guide was incredibly knowledgeable and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
I also visited the Cathedral of Sorrento. Looking back at my pictures as I write this, I’m blown away by the incredible detail that has been packed into every corner. As I’ve mentioned previously, I always like to take in such places, and sometimes they are understated in their decor, and sometimes they make a statement. This cathedral is very much making a statement and is quite something to see. Of particular interest is a 3D model of the nativity scene, set within a glass case in an alcove. This model is very detailed and a delight to look at. I saw a similar one, a little smaller in another church also in Sorrento but I don’t appear to have a note of the name of it to hand. These models are unlike anything I’ve seen before and have a range of characters in what is an Italian village within which the nativity is taking place, complete with flying angels. This was one of many highlights of the day, among many on offer in the museums and galleries of Sorrento.