Sited-Memory

Peripatetic Storytelling at the Castelvecchio Museum in Verona

Abstract

This article narrates the encounter of the author with Angelo Rudella, the head of the construction site at the Castelvecchio Museum, Verona, during the period of Carlo Scarpa’s renovation (1957–1964, 1965–1975). Rudella visited the site on July 11, 2019, to identify the original place of Scarpa’s site office — an office that Rudella shared with Scarpa for the duration of the 1960s – 70s renovation work, and until Scarpa’s death. As one of the last storytellers, to be able to offer a first source account of Scarpa’s design process at Castelvecchio, he operated a sited re‑reading of architectural details, which he analysed in their present context. The visit began by identifying Scarpa’s site office and then walking throughout the Castelvecchio Museum so that recollections emerged on site through an instance of peripatetic storytelling. Relying on a historical mnemonic technique — the art of memory and storytelling — sited memories resurfaced along the museum path, triggering key recollections associated with the construction site and archival photographs. A few selected stories and details are presented, evidencing the role of Rudella as an essential collaborator.