Il Museo Civico di Castello Ursino a Catania. Prime riflessioni sul dibattico critico negli anni della sua istituzione

The work proposes a reflection on the debate concerning the establishment of the Museum of Castello Ursino in Catania, which took place between the late 1920s and early 1930s. The recovery of the artistic heritage started from the awareness promoted by the writer Federico De Roberto and in line with the strategies of the Fascist period, and then turned to the much desired public redemption of the Biscari Museum. The castle of Frederick II, restored thanks to the work of the archaeologist Guido Libertini, would house the exhibition of this museum’s works and the collection of the Benedictine Monastery plus other donations. Libertini was able to conduct with extreme dedication the philological recovery of the Swabian castle, organizing both the exhibitions and museological aspects aiming at enhancing the oldest archaeological and artistic collections. Year 1934 connected the historical heritage of Catania and the Etnean territory. Some essays published in local magazines of the time make us understand that the debate on the museum presents characteristics of actuality.