Angels of the bow and demons of war

Figureheads, whether they embody beauty and opulence or represent allegories, set a safe course and ward off bad luck. They give the ship its name and, in doing so, give it a soul.

This exhibition of figureheads features over 20 works from different places and times. Some are displayed in museums, others only exist as drawings, and for some, even the name is unknown. All of them, however, evoke the mystery that the sea has always held for humanity.

The second part of the exhibition includes a series of weapons from different ships and historical periods, made of both iron and bronze. They fired projectiles of various calibers and types—iron, lead, stone, or even grapeshot—with the intent of causing as much damage as possible to ships and men. Despite their terrible purpose, these cannons reflected the historical moments and artistic styles of their time, making them valuable cultural artifacts.

Among the pieces on display are several bronze artillery pieces that armed the City of Gallipoli in the 16th century, the result of a complex philological reconstruction.