Since 2001, the Musei Altovicentino Museum Network has built one of the most enduring and wide-ranging territorial museum systems in the Veneto region, bringing together civic museums, ecomuseums, archaeological sites, historic gardens and open-air museums across 17 municipalities in the Province of Vicenza, covering an area of over 810 km².
Twenty-five years of shared cultural governance
2026 marks a significant milestone for Musei Altovicentino: the twenty-fifth year since its foundation. Established in 2001 as the Rete Museale Alto Vicentino, the network today unites a wide range of institutions — civic museums, ecomuseums, thematic collections, archaeological sites, places of memory, historic gardens and open-air museums — brought together by a common vision: to enhance the territory in all its complexity through culture, memory and active participation by local communities.
The network’s geographical reach spans from the mountain areas of the Altopiano dei Sette Comuni and the Pasubio massif to the foothills and valleys below, weaving together stories of natural environment, artisan knowledge, industrial heritage and centuries-old local traditions. Within this extraordinarily varied landscape, Musei Altovicentino has established itself over time as a model of shared cultural governance — one capable of coordinating projects, integrated heritage promotion and local communication, while preserving the distinct identity of each member institution.
A cultural laboratory open to dialogue
Over twenty-five years of activity, Musei Altovicentino has developed into a dynamic cultural laboratory, open to experimentation and to dialogue with universities, research bodies, schools, associations and the third sector. This commitment to collaboration has generated innovative projects and permanent education programmes that have engaged successive generations of students and citizens, reinforcing the role of the network’s museums as cultural and socio-educational anchors within their communities.
The twenty-fifth anniversary is both a moment of celebration and of strategic reflection: an opportunity to consider the role of museums in fostering civic awareness, social cohesion and sustainable local development — with particular attention to the growing appreciation for slow cultural tourism and proximity-based travel experiences.
“Celebrating twenty-five years of Musei Altovicentino is not simply a numerical milestone, but the result of a sustained work of relationships that validates a pact of trust with our territory. Over a quarter of a century we have learned that a museum is not an island, but a threshold — one that brings collections into dialogue with the landscape, connecting past and present, always open and welcoming. This is not a fragility; it is our strength. We invite everyone to rediscover these stories at a slow pace and with curiosity, guided by the beauty we have safeguarded together since 2001.” Silvia Berlato, President, Musei Altovicentino
The anniversary programme and future development priorities
On 26 March 2026, at the network’s inaugural press conference, President Silvia Berlato and the Musei Altovicentino Governance Board presented the programme of initiatives planned for the anniversary year. They outlined the network’s twenty-five-year journey, its principal projects, and the scientific and institutional partnerships developed over time, alongside the new strategic directions that will guide future activity.
Key priorities identified for the coming years include: the application of digital innovation to heritage enhancement, the deepening of relationships with schools and local communities, and the further consolidation of Musei Altovicentino as a regional reference point for sustainable cultural tourism.
