The chapel of Santa Maria di Missione in Villafranca Piemonte stands at the end of a long cornfield, its 15th-century frescoes - painted by Italian artist Aimone Duce of the Lombard school - adorned with autumnal colours that frame the interior. The chapel, which dates back to 1037 and is the municipality's oldest religious building, serves around 4,000 inhabitants and offers a glimpse into Italy's rich cultural heritage.
As visitors enter the small chapel, they can activate a multimedia narrative system through their smartphones using a simple QR code near the main entrance. This innovative project allows people to explore sacred art freely throughout the year and discover hidden gems in rural Italy. The Cultura a Porte Aperte initiative has made over 70 churches and chapels accessible to visitors, with more expected to join in the future.
One of these churches is San Bernardino da Siena in Lusernetta, a beautiful example of medieval art featuring frescoes by an anonymous painter known as the "maestro di Lusernetta". The chapel is maintained by parish volunteers who accompany schools, communities, and care homes on visits. The project promotes slow tourism, allowing visitors to discover the area through word of mouth.
In Pinerolo, a municipality in Turin, the chapel of Santa Lucia delle Vigne offers another example of rural Italy's cultural treasures. Painted in the 15th century by Bartolomeo Serra and his workshop, the frescoes depict four episodes from Saint Lucia's life. Visitors can experience a multimedia narrative system when they enter the chapel, which is like talking directly to the painter.
The project has had a significant impact on regional tourism, attracting local and international visitors who are drawn to its unique charm. As Monsignor Derio Olivero, the bishop of Pinerolo, notes, "These small churches are rich in 15th-century frescoes but are often abandoned and closed." The Cultura a Porte Aperte initiative has opened up these hidden gems to the public, providing a new way for people to experience Italy's cultural heritage.
The project also promotes human contact and community engagement. Visitors can meet the volunteers who maintain the churches and hear their stories in person. As Luigi Capello, the head of the local parish youth group, notes, "People can visit the churches independently but most of those who return ask to meet one of the volunteers - to hear the story in person." The Cultura a Porte Aperte initiative is not just about accessing sacred art but also about fostering community and promoting slow tourism.
As visitors enter the small chapel, they can activate a multimedia narrative system through their smartphones using a simple QR code near the main entrance. This innovative project allows people to explore sacred art freely throughout the year and discover hidden gems in rural Italy. The Cultura a Porte Aperte initiative has made over 70 churches and chapels accessible to visitors, with more expected to join in the future.
One of these churches is San Bernardino da Siena in Lusernetta, a beautiful example of medieval art featuring frescoes by an anonymous painter known as the "maestro di Lusernetta". The chapel is maintained by parish volunteers who accompany schools, communities, and care homes on visits. The project promotes slow tourism, allowing visitors to discover the area through word of mouth.
In Pinerolo, a municipality in Turin, the chapel of Santa Lucia delle Vigne offers another example of rural Italy's cultural treasures. Painted in the 15th century by Bartolomeo Serra and his workshop, the frescoes depict four episodes from Saint Lucia's life. Visitors can experience a multimedia narrative system when they enter the chapel, which is like talking directly to the painter.
The project has had a significant impact on regional tourism, attracting local and international visitors who are drawn to its unique charm. As Monsignor Derio Olivero, the bishop of Pinerolo, notes, "These small churches are rich in 15th-century frescoes but are often abandoned and closed." The Cultura a Porte Aperte initiative has opened up these hidden gems to the public, providing a new way for people to experience Italy's cultural heritage.
The project also promotes human contact and community engagement. Visitors can meet the volunteers who maintain the churches and hear their stories in person. As Luigi Capello, the head of the local parish youth group, notes, "People can visit the churches independently but most of those who return ask to meet one of the volunteers - to hear the story in person." The Cultura a Porte Aperte initiative is not just about accessing sacred art but also about fostering community and promoting slow tourism.
! Like, can you imagine being able to explore these gorgeous 15th-century churches in rural Italy with a multimedia narrative system on your phone? 
It's like having a private tour with the artists themselves, right? 
I'm totally here for it! And I love that it's not just about sightseeing, but also promoting human contact and community engagement... it's like, you get to experience Italy's rich cultural heritage AND make some new friends along the way 
. And the best part is that it's not just about tourism, it's also about building a sense of community and human connection. I'd love to visit some of these churches in person and hear the stories from the volunteers 
. Slow tourism is definitely the way forward - who needs crowded cities when you can explore hidden gems like this? Let's give this initiative a big thumbs up 
!
so like, these Italian chapels are literally at the end of cornfields 
️?! how cool is that?! i mean, who needs the mall when you can visit a 15th century chapel in the middle of nowhere? 
but seriously, the Cultura a Porte Aperte initiative is genius! using qr codes to unlock multimedia narratives and bring these hidden gems to life is so innovative 
. and it's not just about art, it's about community too - people actually want to meet the volunteers who take care of these places 
. slow tourism is a great way to experience rural Italy, no need for touristy brochures or guided tours 
. i'm definitely adding this to my bucket list 
I'm loving this project 
. The fact that these churches were being abandoned and closed down is just heartbreaking, so this initiative is like a breath of fresh air 
. Slow tourism is definitely the way to go in my opinion 
. Italy has so much to offer and this project is just one more reason to visit 
.
I mean, can you believe some chapels have been hidden gems for like, over 900 years? Santa Maria di Missione's frescoes are straight fire 
! And the multimedia thingy is so cool! Who needs guided tours when you can just scan a QR code and become an art historian in 1 sec 
. I'm not saying our local churches here have ancient secrets like that, but it's still pretty neat. Slow tourism is where it's at - no more crowded tourist traps 
. And let's be real, meeting the volunteers and hearing their stories? That's what makes this project actually worth visiting 
. Who knew chapels could be so chill? 
And it's not just about the art - it's also about connecting with the locals and hearing their stories. The volunteers are like, totally the best part of this whole deal 
.
I'd love to see more of these projects popping up in other rural areas. The fact that visitors can meet the volunteers who maintain the churches and hear their stories is so special! 
They're making these gorgeous, hidden churches accessible to the public for the first time in ages 
and it's giving me all the feels 
. I'm planning a trip to Italy ASAP just so I can experience it for myself 