Etruscans for Eternity

On Monday, December 16, 2024, Fiumicino Airport unveiled an exhibition featuring three remarkable Etruscan sculptures from the permanent collection of the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia.

The exhibition, titled "Etruscans for Eternity," was unveiled in the Terminal 1 arrivals hall, offering thousands of daily passengers the opportunity to admire these extraordinary masterpieces. The inauguration was graced by the presence of Marco Troncone, CEO of Aeroporti di Roma; Luana Toniolo, Director of the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia; Francesco Rocca, President of the Lazio Region; and Roberto Vannata, from MIC’s General Directorate for Museums.

Through a collaboration between Aeroporti di Roma, the Directorate-General for Museums and the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia, these remarkable artefacts of Etruscan culture have been "brought to life" at the airport. Carefully chosen by the museum's curators, the sculptures offer visitors a captivating window into the rich heritage of this ancient civilisation, encouraging them to explore the museum further.

The exhibition showcases two travertine funerary urns from Perugia and a sarcophagus lid from Tuscania. These exquisite pieces portray idealised figures of Laris Afle, Arnth Acsi, and Larth Cales—believed to be aristocratic men from the 2nd century B.C. Each is depicted reclining at a symposium, a cornerstone of Etruscan social life, where attendees gathered to drink, chat and enjoy music.

The bases of the urns are intricately decorated with mythological scenes, including The Seven Against Thebes, where Oedipus mourns his sons, and the Sacrifice of Iphigenia by her father Agamemnon. These timeless Greek myths, rich with universal themes that continue to resonate, embody the core values of Etruscan society. Through their exploration of real and symbolic journeys, the sculptures encourage contemplation of the past and future, reality and imagination, as well as lived experiences and aspirations.

This collaboration received strong backing from Luana Toniolo, Director of the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia, who remarked: "Our aim is to extend the museum’s reach beyond its walls, bringing it into high-traffic spaces like airports to create 'oases' of beauty that spark reflection on the shared cultural heritage we all possess. Through this partnership with Aeroporti di Roma, we aim to expand awareness and foster greater appreciation for our cultural treasures, even among travellers in transit."

Aeroporti di Roma has consistently embraced a strategy of promoting and celebrating Italy's rich cultural heritage through partnerships with renowned cultural institutions and museums. These collaborations have brought archaeological treasures, artworks spanning diverse eras, and contemporary installations to Leonardo da Vinci Airport. The initiative seeks to redefine transit spaces as vibrant showcases for art and culture in all their forms.

"With the unveiling of these three remarkable sculptures, we are enhancing the artistic and cultural offerings at our airport, marking the beginning of a strategic partnership with the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia," said Marco Troncone, CEO of Aeroporti di Roma. "Today, we offer our passengers and the entire airport community the opportunity to engage with the historical legacy of the Etruscan civilisation's historical significance, which also flourished in the region surrounding our airport. ADR's dynamic artistic and cultural programming has long been a key element of our sustainable development strategy, playing a pivotal role in transforming Fiumicino Airport into a stunning showcase of Italy’s beauty and cultural heritage."

"The airport is a powerful symbol of modernity and often the first point of contact for travellers arriving in the region. It is a remarkable opportunity that this contemporary space engages with antiquity and serves as a ‘showcase’ for our cultural heritage. The display of invaluable artefacts from the Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia at Leonardo da Vinci Airport, now a true ‘open-air museum,’ perfectly aligns with the vision I have advocated since the beginning of my term to promote the Lazio region," added Francesco Rocca, President of the Lazio Region.