MuSaBa
MuSaBa is an art museum and park in Grotteria, Calabria, spread across approximately 7 hectares and displaying sculptures, mosaics, and architectural structures throughout. The site includes a restored former monastery grounds with a church building, a residential inn with artist rooms, and the converted Santa Barbara train station, all permeated with artistic installations and works.
The site was originally a monastic settlement founded as early as the 4th century and used by Cistercian monks until the 1500s. In 1969, artists Nik Spatari and Hiske Maas began transforming this historical grounds into the art museum and park that exists today.
The name MuSaBa comes from Museo Santa Barbara, honoring the saint after whom the site is named. The artworks throughout the park are deeply woven into the local landscape, inviting visitors to experience art as an integral part of the natural surroundings rather than something separate from it.
Wear comfortable walking shoes when exploring the park, as pathways cross the grounds and the site is not fully accessible for people with mobility limitations. The location offers food and refreshment options on site, and visitors can explore year-round, though spring and fall offer the most pleasant conditions for walking.
One of the main artworks is the mosaic Il Sogno di Giacobbe (Jacob's Dream) created between 1990 and 1994, using a distinctive 3D technique with painted wooden panels that appear as floating figures. This monumental work spans 14 meters high and engages the original church structure with biblical imagery.
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