The museum space “Tower of Count Ugolino” is located inside the Palazzo dell’Orologio in Piazza dei Cavalieri. The visitor is introduced through a historical, literary and artistic path, to the visit of the remains of the famous Tower: following an imaginary time line, a series of illustrative panels and a video describe the historical and Dante’s Ugolino and outline its fortune in the literary and artistic tradition”. The space also hosts an exhibition of valuable antique and illustrated editions of the Commedia and other works created around his tragic legend, set in the 13th century during the war between the Guelphs and Ghibellines.
The Tower of Hunger
Dante encounters Ugolino in Hell (Canto XXXIII) in the circle of traitors to the homeland, condemned to stay immersed in icy waters and bite the skull of his enemy, Archbishop Ruggeri. Dante’s passage confirmed the legend already passed down through popular belief about his terrible fate. Accused of betraying Pisa against Genoa in the naval defeat of Meloria, the Count was imprisoned with his children and grandchildren in the Tower of Hunger (then used to house eagles during the molting period). Their tragic end changed the name of the building to the Tower of Famine. Here, reality intertwines with legend: it is said that after his children and grandchildren died of starvation, Count Ugolino would have fed on their flesh. There is no conclusive evidence of this ending, and it seems that it did not happen.”
Visits are temporarily suspended
Address: Piazza dei Cavalieri 4
CLOSED TO VISITORS
Info: 050.509111
Scuola Normale
www.sns.it