ROME, JUNE 23, 2025 – With the inauguration of “Una storia infinita” (An Endless Story. Jewelry from Castellani to Bulgari), the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia and the Bulgari Foundation have officially launched a major multi-year partnership. Set in the evocative Hall of the Seven Hills, the exhibition celebrates the enduring legacy of Italian goldsmithing by bringing together ancient Etruscan treasures, 19th-century Castellani masterpieces, and iconic pieces from the Bulgari Heritage Collection.
The exhibition is located on the museum’s first floor, adjacent to the famed Castellani Collection—described by museum director Luana Toniolo as a “museum within the museum.” Visitors are invited into a carefully curated space where historical jewelry are placed in dialogue, offering a visual journey through centuries of craftsmanship, symbolism, and style.
Da sinistra, Giulia Silvia Ghia, Luana Toniolo, Matteo MorbidiThe press conference announcing the collaboration featured Luana Toniolo, Giulia Silvia Ghia (art historian and Culture Councillor for Rome’s First Municipality), and Matteo Morbidi, Director of the Bulgari Foundation and Head of Heritage at Bulgari.
A Legacy Rooted in Etruscan Art
At the heart of the exhibition lies a shared reverence for Etruscan art—a source of inspiration for both the Castellani family and the Bulgari maison. In the 19th century, Fortunato Pio Castellani revived ancient techniques like granulation and filigree, breathing new life into classical jewelry and shaping the Roman school of archaeological goldsmithing.
In the early 20th century, as artistic tastes evolved, Bulgari reinterpreted that legacy with bold modernity. Founded in Rome in 1884 by Sotirio Bulgari, the maison drew on ancient forms and Mediterranean influences to create a distinct, innovative style that continues to define Italian jewelry design today.
From Exhibition to Long-Term Partnership
Matteo MorbidiThe exhibition marks the first step in a broader collaboration. Established in March 2024, the Bulgari Foundation will finance a full relamping of several galleries at Villa Giulia, starting with the Hall of the Seven Hills—frescoed by Taddeo Zuccari—followed by the Halls of Venus and the Castellani gallery. The goal: to enhance the display and visibility of one of Italy’s most important archaeological collections through modern lighting systems.
This initiative adds to a growing list of the Foundation’s cultural projects in Rome. Bulgari is also exploring the launch of a volunteer program that would allow employees and their families to support the museum through activities such as garden maintenance and minor conservation efforts.
A Model for Cultural Cooperation
An Endless Story is more than a title—it’s a mission. Through this exhibition and its long-term partnership, the Bulgari Foundation and the National Etruscan Museum are crafting a narrative of continuity, dialogue, and innovation. The project positions jewelry as more than adornment: as a cultural artifact, a medium of memory, and a link between ancient heritage and contemporary creativity.(@EtruscanTimes)
