T he “Manegium” is a cultural group of volunteers. It was officially born with its own statute and the registration in 1986, but it was already operative in 1982 with the local “Pro-Loco” (local organization for recreational and cultural activities). In 1999 it was recognized as “Onlus” (non profitable organization). This group takes care of historical, artistical, archaeological and ethnographical researches on a territory called “Manegium” (the municipality from the east of Trecenta to the west of Villamarzana, with Canda, Castelguglielmo, Pincara, San Bellino, Villanova del Ghebbo and Fratta Polesine). In recent years it has set up “Museo civico archeologico” (civic and archaeological museum) with some protohistoric finds from Fratesina (roman archaeological area) and the “Museo etnografico delle civiltŕ e del lavoro in Polesine” (ethnographical museum of the Polesine civilization and work). It has promoted meetings and debates, prepared exhibitions, catalogued the municipal and parish historical archives of Fratta and it has cooperated with other cultural and public institutions. In June it always organizes the “Concorso nazionale di Arte Contemporanea” (a painting prize) with various sections. Thanks to a donation in 2000, the museum has merged a sixteenth century palace (formerly owned by the Dolfin family). The restoration work finished in August 2004. The palace now hosts the “Mostra storico documentaria sulla carboneria polesana” (an exhibition of the carbonarist), the “Mostra fotografica storico documentaria sul martire frattense Giacomo Matteotti” (an exhibition of Giacomo Matteotti), the “Mostra di ceramiche palesane del 1600” (an exhibition of chinaware) and the “Museo etnografico”. The “Manegium” is member of “Federazione delle associazioni di archeologia del Veneto” (a federation of archaeological associations in Regione Veneto). The collection of materials displayed in the “Museo etnografico” (machinery, tools, documents, pictures and photos) helps visitors to realize the efforts made by the local inhabitants to make the work more human on this territory, from the unity of Italy to the great flood of the Po in 1951. All the stuff on display is the result of great experience, skill and creativity. After the 1951 flood the territory and the way of life were completely transformed and often degenerated further beyond the needs of the technological progress and the social requirements. This is part of the modernization but the old Polesine is a witness of historical, political, social, economical, technical and human facts: it can not be eliminated otherwise we will loose the possibility of studying it. The cultural group the “Manegium” aims at contributing to save the existence of a real past life-style
Italian text
Museum presentation
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