Naples, Volotea sponsors MANN: will fund new access and a children's area

The National Archaeological Museum of Naples has found a sponsor: it is Volotea, the Spanish low-cost airline, founded in 2011 Carlos Muñoz and Lázaro Ros, which connects medium-sized cities and European capitals. Volotea, one of the fastest-growing independent airlines in Europe (since its founding to date it has carried nearly 35 million passengers and now has bases in 17 European cities, from Athens to Bordeaux, Naples to Hamburg, Strasbourg to Venice, Verona to Bilbao, connecting 100 cities in 16 countries), has decided to invest locally by supporting Campania’s culture: the company, in fact, will finance the redevelopment of the access area to the National Archaeological Museum of Naples from Piazza Cavour and the creation of a “kids-friendly” area inside the atrium.

With the sponsorship of the low-cost airline, the MANN intends to strengthen its link with the city by imagining an access route to the museum to be created with a green perspective: in the outdoor area affected by the work, a reception point for visitors and a rest stop for all citizens will be set up. There will also be benches, planters, bicycle stalls and charging stations for electric bicycles, which will be configured as a stage in an ideal itinerary that will lead to getting to know the Museum’s treasures, while also being able to stop and plan one’s own visit to the area. Not only, then, a space to get together, but also an invitation to adopt sustainable forms of mobility.

In addition, as anticipated, Volotea’s contribution will also be aimed at families and children, with the creation of a space for children: it will be built in the atrium, which, from next spring, according to the Museum’s strategic planning, will be open to the public without a ticket.

Simulation of what the new access will look like

“We are particularly happy to present the collaboration between the MANN and an international reality such as Volotea, with its very strong dynamism and great sensitivity to the art and beauty of the territories where it operates, taking root with increasing and recognized success,” says MANN Director Paolo Giulierini. “The encounter between MANN and Volotea writes an original page in cultural heritage sponsorship relations thanks to a project that combines hospitality and services in line with the strategy of a Museum increasingly open to the city. At a time of recovery for tourism, which is seeing the return of Italian and foreign visitors, the announcement of this prestigious partnership brings with it a message of great optimism for our entire ’cultural district.’ Also the Mann, as an ambassador of Italian and European identity, with its works constantly flies around the world, and from the resumption of air transport awaits the indispensable contribution to the return of its public, which is, indeed, worldwide. Recall that Naples Capodichino was in 2017 the first archaeological airport set up with masterpieces from the MANN, and that with Gesac we have disseminated in the airport art videos and exhibitions, as part of our Obvia university project of art dissemination. So we can say that this twinning was in the air and that our visions were destined to meet to bring together new ideas and opportunities. Thanks to Volotea, we are confident that together we will have a beautiful journey.”

Volotea, which inaugurated one of its operating bases in Naples in 2020, is pleased to be able to reconfirm its commitment to supporting the regional economic fabric and the city, with a view to integrating the city and its extremely rich artistic heritage, helping to make the MANN a true “open museum” available to citizens and tourists. Volotea is not new to this kind of initiative: in the past, in fact, it took charge of the restoration of the Sansovinian balcony of the Doge’s Palace in Venice, in Genoa it instead financed the restoration of the Madonna of the Doge’s Chapel, and in Palermo it supported the restoration of the historic curtain of the Teatro Massimo. Finally, a few weeks ago, Volotea launched #Volotea4Veneto, an initiative created to support the territory’s culture and art.

“We are honored and excited to be able to fund such an important project, which will further bring one of the oldest and most prestigious archaeological museums in Italy closer to its public,” comments Valeria Rebasti, Volotea’s Country Manager Italy & Southeastern Europe. “By regenerating some common areas of the MANN, we want to thank all Campania passengers who have chosen, and continue to choose, our flights, giving them a space usable by all. In Volotea’s development plans, it is essential to strengthen investments at the local level, while offering an ever wider range of connections to and from Naples. We are confident that the collaboration with the Museum will become a driving force capable of driving the recovery of incoming tourism, further enhancing the attraction of Naples, home to one of the most important artistic heritages in the world.”

The sponsorship agreement was handled, in particular, by some of the Museum’s offices: the Technical Office (Head: Amanda Piezzo), Educational Services (Head: Lucia Emilio), the Communications Office (Head: Antonella Carlo) and the Administrative Secretary (Stefania Saviano); architect Silvia Neri carried out the project for the redevelopment of the outdoor area.

Pictured: the Hall of the Farnese Bull at the MANN in Naples.

Naples, Volotea sponsors MANN: will fund new access and a children's area

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