Voci dal Regno di Napoli

A two-day book museum

In the historic center of Martina Franca, in the Province of Taranto, the Voci dal Regno di Napoli exhibition brings the public into direct contact with antique books usually kept in private collections. The initiative was born from the passion of local cultural operator Damiano Nicolella, who opens part of his family's library to the public, setting up a small, free-admission thematic exhibition for a weekend.

Each edition explores a different theme through dated volumes, prints, and period documents: the history, customs, and literature of the Mezzogiorno and the many voices that have traversed what was once the Kingdom of Naples. A rare opportunity to browse with your eyes through pages that tell the story of centuries of Italian and Southern culture.

The 2026 edition: "The Beautiful Country where the 'si' sounds"

The sixteenth edition, scheduled for June 27 and 28, 2026, is dedicated to the Italian language and literature, taking its title from the famous Dante verse "il bel paese là dove 'l sì suona." On display is a selection of volumes from the 16th to the 20th century that discuss the language and literature of our country, with works linked to great authors such as Torquato Tasso and Giacomo Leopardi. The common thread is an invitation to rediscover the richness of Italian, countering the growing spread of Anglicisms in everyday speech.

Palazzo Motolese, a Rococo setting

The exhibition is held at Palazzo Motolese, at Via Principe Umberto 61, one of the most refined examples of Martina Franca's Rococo architecture, a historic residence still inhabited and made available for the occasion by Dr. Ettore Motolese. The setting is the unmistakable Baroque style of Martina Franca, a jewel of the Itria Valley in Puglia, amidst white alleys, carved portals, and noble palaces.

Why it's worth it

• Completely free admission.
• Direct contact with rare and hard-to-find books, guided by the curator.
• A visit that integrates with the discovery of the historic center of Martina Franca and the Itria Valley.
• An intimate cultural event, far from the large tourist crowds.

Voci dal Regno di Napoli confirms itself as a precious appointment for bibliophiles, history enthusiasts, and the simply curious, capable of telling the cultural identity of the Mezzogiorno through the printed page.