Officine culturali / Monastero dei Benedettini

Officine Culturali is a small nonprofit association of young professionals engaged in the enhancement of a relevant cultural site: the Benedictine Monastery of Catania. The Benedictine Monastery is one of the biggest monasteries in Europe and one of the UNESCO Heritage sites. The cultural relevance of this 17th century monastery has been neglected for years, resulting in a small number of visitors, no tourists, no sense of place and consideration by the youngsters. Nevertheless, in 2013 The University of Catania entrusted Officine Culturali the task of managing the site as a place to be known, visited, and enjoyed. Thanks to those young, passionate, and competent people, the site is now visited by tourist, families, students, and, despite the poor socio-economic context, the inhabitants of the neighborhood.

[Credits of the pictures are from left to right: Monastero Benedittini / Monastero Benedettini intern / Caffeaos © Officine Culturali]

Case Study: Officine culturali / Monastero dei Benedettini
Location: Catania, Italy
Data availability: Probably good
Stage of the case: On-going
Type of cultural heritage: Architectural, Museum / Documentary, Project, Programme
Funding / Type of recognition: European level, Regional / Local level
Type of initiation: Civil society-driven
Financial dimension value: Small (<1 mio €)
Physical dimension: Medium (group of buildings)