De Mauro Civic Museum in Scordia

Whether you are at Scordia for pleasure or passing through, what cannot be missed is a visit to Civic Ethno-Anthropological Museum and Historical Archive "Mario de Mauro". A dive into the past, into the memories and traditions of the country, forgotten or obscured by the progress of modern times but very much alive within the walls of this permanent exhibition.

History and foundation of the De Mauro Civic Museum in Scordia

The idea of ​​creating a museum was born way back in 1979 thanks to its founder, Prof. Nuccio Gambera. In that year the new programs for middle schools came into force and analyzing them he realized that those plans represented a stimulus for research and the creation of 2 fundamental engines for didactic support, namely the library and civic Museum. Thus begins the story of this exhibition which was first set up in two rooms of Professor Gambera's private house and then moved to the school premises of the Leonardo Da Vinci school. To speak of official birth we have to wait for 1 June 1993 when everything was placed in the corridor on the ground floor of the headquarters of the school located in Via Etna 12. So the origins are absolutely didactic but since then over time the museum has grown of volume and importance, was assumed by the municipality of Scordia which transferred the collection to Palazzo Vecchio. A part of the collection was then moved in recent times to Modica Palaceat Piazza Umberto I.

De Mauro Civic Museum in Scordia: origins of the name

Il civic Museum it was named after Mario De Mauro, one of the liveliest and most passionate exponents of Scordia. He was a priest who lived in the 1800s, anticlerical, Garibaldian and for this reason denigrated by the ruling class. He founded the Workers' Society and wrote numerous works that were not much appreciated as they told uncomfortable stories that it would have been better not to reveal. He was an intellectual man whose abilities were recognized by both the Paris and Berlin academies of sciences. He was never appreciated in the country and he was never recognized any merit, since he had brought to light what some wanted to hide. For this reason, his tomb has not been preserved, much less a street dedicated to him. Therefore, to honor his work, not included in the historical period in which he lived, it was decided to name the Civic Museum after him.

What to see at the De Mauro Civic Museum in Scordia

Once through the doors of the De Mauro Civic Museum in Scordia a deep silence is felt, a stillness overflowing with history that tells past and modern events. In this place time seems to have stopped, and the dusty shelves with everyday objects allow the visitor to better understand Scordia, its inhabitants and its history. Those who enter leave progress and current life behind them and immediately take a leap into the past going back decades. The first collection that can be admired is related to a past closer to us, the years' 70, a historical period in which women and mothers were the hearth of the house, and in fact the first space is dedicated to them. Continue to the section dedicated to craft shops and to agriculture which preserves some of the most important pieces of the entire Mediterranean basin. Finally we arrive at the richest and oldest division of the museum where objects for cereal growing, livestock and hunting are kept.

What to do around the De Mauro Civic Museum

Il historical center of Scordia has a lot to offer its visitors, so after a visit to Mario De Mauro Civic Ethno-Anthropological Museum, it would be good to complete your itinerary among the streets and architectural works of the town. There are numerous religious architectures including the Mother Church of San Rocco, patron of Scordia, made in Sicilian Baroque style, and the Church of St. Joseph built according to typically canons neoclassical. Of great interest is also the Church of Sant'Antonio al Convento , Church of San Gregorio Magno, said of Purgatory. If civic architecture is of interest however, then the Branciforte Palace, residence of the princes of Scordia or the Palazzo Vecchio-Majorana and Palazzo De Cristofaro. They are very specific Chancellor Houses which are currently used as a restaurant and from whose central courtyard it is possible to admire the panorama of the Cava.

How to get to the De Mauro Civic Museum

Il De Mauro Civic Museum in Scordia it can be easily reached from various locations in Sicily. It is about 40 km from Caltagirone and Catania.
Who arrives by car from Catania you will have to take the ring road and exit towards the SS115 for Syracuse, take the SS194 Ragusana towards Palagonia, merge onto the SS385 and once you reach the crossroads, continue on the SP28/I towards Scordia.