A place can encapsulate the historical memory and future of an area, it can tell the story of its past and present, and describe the development and growth of a community.
They know this well at the Lazzaretto of Cagliari , which, in collaboration with the Ecomuseum of the Venetian Lazzaretti, has developed the project "Extra Sant'Elia – The Guardians of Time" with the aim of enhancing the historical role of the Lazzaretti by showcasing their importance and the role they have played in the local area.
On Saturday, November 14th, at 10:00 a.m., the Lazzaretto Art and Culture Center in Cagliari will host the second edition of the round table dedicated to the Lazzarettos. This edition's focus, following last year's first event, which focused on the enhancement and restoration of these places once dedicated to care, "focuses on the people, the transformation of the territories, and the relationships that have linked these facilities to their communities over the centuries," the organizers explain.
"The common thread will be the relationship between historical memory, local identity, and future prospects," they explain at the Lazzaretto Hospital in Cagliari, "through contributions that intertwine history, archaeology, but also urban transformation and cultural valorization."
Throughout the morning, following greetings from the Sant'Elia Cooperative, which manages the Lazzaretto Art and Culture Center in Cagliari, there will be presentations by Marina Inì of La Sapienza University of Rome, who will focus on the history of Lazzarettos around the world, and a representative of the Caravan, who will discuss the relationship between the Lazzaretto and the Sant'Elia neighborhood. Lara Meneghini of the Ecomuseum of the Venetian Lazzarettos will then focus on the Venetian experience and its relationship with the surrounding area. Immediately afterward, the event will return to Sardinia, with a focus on the Lazzaretto of Alghero.
"It's an important testament to Sardinia's healthcare history," the organizers explain, "and will be part of the ongoing promotion of our center's permanent exhibition, "Lazzaretto yesterday and today." This way, we want to expand the narrative of the island's Lazzaretto history."
The Itzokor Association, featuring Alice Nozza and Matteo Tatti, will discuss Sant'Elia's environmental and archaeological heritage. The Roots – Mediterranean Radici (Mediterranean Roots) presentations will conclude the event, with Gabriele Casu and Elena Marconi presenting the results of the activities developed within the BAT – Agricultural Botanical and Processing Laboratory – and the work to enhance the area's natural resources.
In the afternoon, words will give way to a full immersion in the area. Starting at 2:30 pm, an archaeological excursion to Sant'Ignazio Hill, led by archaeologist Alfonso Stiglitz, will take place: a unique opportunity to experience the area's historical and archaeological remains firsthand.
A walk from Sa Punta de S'Aliga to the Cala Bernat coastal tower, passing by the signal tower and the C135 anti-ship and anti-aircraft battery, from the top of the hill to the sea in an up-and-down journey through history and nature. "The Guardians of Time project aims to rediscover, through the Lazzaretti, the relationship between territory, memory, and community," the organizers conclude, "a legacy of experiences, knowledge, and identity to be preserved and passed on to future generations."