The Labyrinth Mosaic has returned after more than 30 years to the island of Giannutri. And now a special visit

Last June the Labyrinth Mosaic returned after more than 30 years to the island of Giannutri: it is one of the most valuable finds belonging to the archaeological complex of the Roman Villa of the Domizi Enobarbi. It was detached from its original location in 1991 and then kept in the Archaeological Museum of Florence, where it remained until the beginning of the delicate restoration work supported by the Rotary Club - District 2071. Now, for opportune conservation reasons, the mosaic has found a new location inside an enclosed room, also of Roman origin, the cryptoporticus, which preserves the precious decoration by preserving it from the elements.

On September 2, Rotary is organizing a special visit to the Labyrinth Mosaic in which about three hundred people from the world of business, institutions, culture, and art will participate. For the occasion, in addition to the institutional greetings of the authorities present and theofficial inauguration related to the repositioning of the work, a meeting Un viaggio nel Mito: alla scoperta del labirinto dell’isola di Giannutri has been organized: the history and characteristics of the mosaic, as well as the Roman villa, will be discussed. The meeting will be moderated by Dr. Patrizia Asproni, chair of the culture committee of Rotary Clu - District 2071, and will feature Paolo Giulierini, director of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples; Fausto Barbagli, president of the National Association of Scientific Museums; Matteo Milletti, researcher at the University of L’Aquila; and archaeologist Enrico Maria Giuffrè.

With the recovery operation, the mosaic has been reassembled: its tiles narrate the killing of the Minotaur, by Theseus, in Crete and also depicts Ariadne waiting for Theseus holding the famous ball of thread. Originally placed in front of the entrance to the patrician villa of the Domizi Enobarbi family, at the time of its discovery the Labyrinth Mosaic was in a condition of very serious deterioration and in need of urgent restoration. For this reason it was detached in 1991 and kept inside the Archaeological Museum of Florence, where it remained until restoration work began. Restoration in the laboratory involved cleaning and supplementing the missing parts with tesserae obtained from original material recovered on the island of Giannutri. For the lower part, which was completely lost, a simple engraving was made on a neutral background, suggesting the original pattern.

“With this intervention, Rotary District 2071 wanted to restore to its former glory a little-known, but uniquely beautiful and valuable treasure,” said Fernando Damiani, governor of Rotary Club District2071. “Our intent is focused on emphasizing culture and art in the broadest sense, and with this initiative we particularly want to raise awareness among everyone, Tuscans and non-Tuscans alike, to discover and learn more about the island of Giannutri, a paradise known to few, set among truly striking natural and artistic beauty.”

The Labyrinth Mosaic has returned after more than 30 years to the island of Giannutri. And now a special visit

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