Percorso Espositivo SEMIRURALI
Museum | Bolzano | Trentino-Alto Adige | Italy
The "Percorso Espositivo SEMIRURALI" in Bolzano is a cultural institution dedicated to the history and life in the so-called "Semirurali" houses. These houses were built at the end of the 1930s to accommodate Italian workers who moved to the region to work in Bolzano's emerging industry. The "Semirurali" were a mix of urban and rural living forms, offering the workers a home with their own garden.
Exhibition and Content
The museum is located in one of the few remaining "Semirurali" houses at Via Bari 11 and provides a detailed insight into the residents' lives. On the ground floor, a typical apartment from that time is presented with original furniture and a sound installation that mimics the everyday noises and conversations of the past. The upper floor covers various thematic areas:
Photographic installations: Portraits of the current residents of the neighborhood who share their stories and experiences.
Historical maps and models: Depiction of the area's development from 1541 to today, including the different construction phases and changes.
Social aspects: Photographs and documents illustrating the social life and community of the "Semirurali" residents.
Memories of the Via Resia camp: A small corner commemorates the nearby transit camp, which was operational from 1944 to 1945, with original drawings and eyewitness accounts.
Reflections: Artworks and films addressing the end of the "Semirurali" and the transformation of urban spaces.
Significance and Objectives
The "Percorso Espositivo SEMIRURALI" serves as a memorial site that preserves the history and heritage of the "Semirurali" houses and makes it accessible to the public. It promotes understanding of the social and historical developments in Bolzano and provides a space for reflection on the transformation of urban living spaces.
A visit to this museum allows visitors to delve into the past and understand the realities of life for the worker families who played a significant role in Bolzano's history.
