The exhibition Rosso Immaginario in Montesarchio is a significant cultural event for the city and the entire region.
It features a selection of terracotta vases from the archaeological excavations of the ancient city of Caudium, and it aims to promote awareness of the culture, art, and history of one of ancient Campania’s most important cities.
Rosso Immaginario: The Story of the Vases of Caudium
The vases on display offer a valuable insight into daily life and traditions of the ancient inhabitants of Caudium.
The color red was chosen as the central theme for a reason. It is the dominant color of the displayed vases and symbolically recalls blood, referencing the historical significance of Caudium as the site of the famous Battle of the Caudine Forks.
The exhibition is carefully curated, guiding visitors through the various phases of vase production. Each artifact is accompanied by a descriptive panel that explains its technical, iconographic, and cultural characteristics.
This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to explore the history and culture of ancient Caudium, a city frequently mentioned in classical literature and Roman history.
The initiative demonstrates how archaeological heritage can be used to promote culture, identity, and the beauty of the local territory.
The Story of Montesarchio Told Through Ancient Artifacts
The exhibition Rosso Immaginario: The Story of the Vases of Caudium recounts the history of Montesarchio through a series of artifacts that trace the legacy of the Samnite civilization, who inhabited the Campanian Apennines in the 4th century BC.
One of the most interesting features of the exhibit is the Caudium vases, a collection of funerary urns from the Samnite era, discovered in various necropolises around Montesarchio. The distinctive reddish hue of these vases is attributed to a specific ceramic firing technique used by local artisans.
Curated by the Montesarchio Archaeological Museum, the exhibition presents the vases through an evocative narrative journey, highlighting their symbolic meaning and importance in Samnite daily life.
Visitors can also enjoy a rich catalog featuring photographs of the artifacts and excavation sites, along with texts and historical documents that reconstruct the period in which the vases were made and used.
Caudium Vases: Silent Witnesses of Samnite Life
The exhibition route includes themed sections, each focusing on a different aspect of Samnite culture: funerary rites, daily life, art, warfare, and politics.
The Caudium vases serve as irreplaceable and silent witnesses of an ancient civilization, preserving the memory of its customs, beliefs, and aesthetics.
All displayed vases are artistically and archaeologically significant, selected from the most important finds in the Montesarchio area.
Decorative details, anatomical features of depicted figures, and stylistic elements reflect the cultural sophistication of the Samnite people between the 4th and 3rd centuries BC.
Among the most stunning pieces is a large, two-handled krater, capable of holding over 15 liters, discovered in the tomb of a noble Samnite couple. The vase features detailed scenes of hunting and animal combat, rendered with exceptional artistry.
Rosso Immaginario: Merging Digital Technology and Archaeology
In addition to archaeological artifacts, Rosso Immaginario – The Story of the Vases of Caudium includes virtual reconstructions of the urban environments where these vases were created and used.
Thanks to 3D images, visitors can virtually explore ancient Samnite cities like Caudium and Benevento, and admire public buildings and aristocratic residences, where these vases were once enjoyed by the elite.
This exhibition offers a unique chance to immerse oneself in the complex and fascinating history of the Samnite civilization and appreciate the extraordinary craftsmanship of Montesarchio’s ancient artisans, whose works reflect both artistic flair and functional design.
Where is Rosso Immaginario Exhibited?
The exhibition is housed in the splendid halls of the National Archaeological Museum of the Caudine Samnium, in the evocative setting of the former Bourbon prison. The exhibit winds through some of the prison cells, creating an atmosphere where ancient stories come to life.
After more than ten years on display, Rosso Immaginario has returned to enchant visitors in the traditional and picturesque setting of Montesarchio Castle, following essential restoration work necessitated by severe weather in August.
This exhibit is a rare opportunity to admire a broad selection of Samnite ceramics, considered among the finest and most artisanal of antiquity. Visitors can explore vases, plates, and other objects crafted with care and precision by ancient artisans, and learn about their techniques and materials.
The exhibition also provides a comprehensive overview of Samnite history and culture, offering key archaeological insights into the daily life of the people of Caudium.
This exhibition is highly recommended for those interested in the ancient history and archaeology of Italy, and for anyone eager to learn more about the Samnite people, their traditions, and their contributions to Italy’s cultural heritage.
