Canicattini Bagni. The Civic Museum is a journey into the... "TIME"

The experience

There are many ways in which the story of Sicilian emigration can be told, the Tempo museum, in the Syracuse village of the Hyblaean territory, chooses to do so through the stories of the families who emigrated overseas in three different phases, from the end of the nineteenth century until after the Second World War. Stories of men and women but also of children, who left with empty pockets, their hearts swollen with sadness and cardboard suitcases tied with string that contained many expectations but few certainties. The Tempo Museum, an acronym for Textile, Emigration and Folk Medicine, is housed in the premises of Palazzo Cassarino, an early twentieth-century building in Art Nouveau style, built thanks to the economic contribution of migrants who left Canicattini Bagni to go to America, and who punctually sent a part of their earnings to relatives who remained in Sicily.

In this place of memories and of our roots, there are many stories of life, in particular in the “Emigration” section, one of the three of the Museum where numerous activities take place. It starts with the traditional guided tours to discover the textile culture, folk medicine and of course all the relics that represent the focus of the exhibition dedicated to those who left: vintage photos, letters from lovers, registers, various trunks containing women’s trousseau, boarding tickets, clothes, some postcards of places in the city and shops of Italian products in the United States. These objects, which seem to be enveloped by the emotions experienced at the time of departures to the New World, take visitors by the hand, helping them to immerse themselves in the narrative of the journey. And so that the idea of leaving one’s home, loved ones and beloved roots does not remain an abstract concept, a reconstruction has also been created from the actual moment of embarkation on transoceanic ships.

The museum actively works in the area, enhancing the tangible and intangible heritage and interfaces with the various institutions through research projects and training courses for students such as school-work alternation.

One of the most evocative experiences for roots tourists is related to the investigations of their family history, aimed at tracing parental relationships through the reconstruction of the family tree, the first step to get to know their ancestors, their lifestyle, the places they lived, the trades they practiced. There are also gastronomic itineraries, tastings, educational activities with schools of all levels, including for children, workshops on ancient crafts such as weaving, stoneworking and tailoring. It will be very exciting for visitors, especially for returning tourists, third or fourth generation of those who set sail with courage and desperation, to visit the Tempo museum which offers an extraordinary reflection on who we were and who we have become.