Giornate Europee dell'Archeologia al Parco Archeologico di Castelseprio

The lost and rediscovered village

In the small municipality of Castelseprio, in the province of Varese, lies one of Northern Italy's most important archaeological sites: the Archaeological Park preserves the remains of the ancient Lombard and medieval castrum, destroyed in 1287 and never rebuilt, hence the nickname "lost village". Inside is the church of Santa Maria Foris Portas, famous for its cycle of early medieval frescoes, among the most debated and fascinating in Europe. Since 2011, the complex has been part of the UNESCO serial site "The Lombards in Italy. Places of the Power".

The European Archaeology Days

On the occasion of the European Archaeology Days, an event promoted throughout Europe to bring the public closer to archaeological heritage, the Castelseprio Park opens for free with a rich program accessible to all. Guided tours, led by archaeologists, allow for close observation of excavation areas and recent discoveries, while workshops for children introduce youngsters to the archaeologist's profession.

Frescoes, technologies, and nocturnal suggestions

Among the most anticipated events is the presentation of the VISTA project, dedicated to the visual investigation of Santa Maria Foris Portas and the new technologies used for the study and conservation of the frescoes. There is also a more evocative dimension, with an evening walk in the woods guided by the Volunteer Ecological Guards, to discover the nocturnal sounds and animals that inhabit the protected area around the park.