The Cavallino archaeological site. From abandonment and land subdivision to acquisition and public access.

For the 2026 European Heritage Days (GEP), the Museum is organizing a guided tour titled “The Cavallino Archaeological Area: From Abandonment and Land Subdivision to Public Acquisition and Access.” This year’s theme—*Protecting Heritage: Renewing, Resisting, Reinventing*—perfectly illustrates how an area facing severe neglect and imminent destruction can be transformed into a site where citizens embrace a cultural asset as their own, thanks to extensive collaboration between local authorities and the local community. Led by the Museum Director, Dr. Corrado Notario, visitors will discover how the work of archaeologists, historians, and researchers reconstructs the past and the lives of the populations who once inhabited this territory—peoples whose legacy remains an integral part of our daily lives. The tour will focus on the history of research in the area, tracing the evolution from a neglected site slated for residential development to the current "Distributed Museum" (*Museo Diffuso*). This transformation was achieved through the imposition of archaeological protection orders, the acquisition of land by public bodies (municipalities, unions of municipalities, and universities), and the site's eventual opening to the public. Participants will also learn how active protection by the local community plays a crucial role in keeping cultural heritage alive and ensuring its preservation for future generations. Additionally, the tour will highlight the role of the Ecomuseum Laboratory and the ongoing dialogue with the local community, which makes the museum a vibrant, dynamic part of the city. Finally, the experience will offer a reflection on the contemporary museum as an interactive, participatory space—one capable of adapting to visitor needs and addressing major social issues of the present, while promoting intercultural dialogue and sustainable local development. From this perspective, the museum takes the form of a common good—a place where knowledge and creativity go hand in hand, and where visitors become active protagonists of the cultural experience.