The Museum of Memory and Welcome located on the seaside in Santa Maria al Bagno, Southern Italy, preserves a little-known but deeply moving chapter of post-war European history — the extraordinary bond between local Italian villagers and thousands of Jewish refugees, many of them Holocaust survivors, who found refuge in Apulia between 1944 and 1947.
Today, this history risks being forgotten. We are raising funds to preserve this legacy and make it resonate with new generations through expanded exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural events.
Why now?
As we face rising antisemitism, xenophobia, and forced migration
globally, the story this museum tells — one of compassion,
coexistence, and courage — is more urgent than ever. We want to build
bridges between the past and the present, creating a space where
memory inspires hope, and where history teaches empathy.
Why us?
Owned by the Municipality of Nardò the museum was built with
love and local dedication but has virtually no budget to expand its
activities. The museum has great potential, as was acknowledged by the
directors of the Anne Frank House and the Jewish Cultural Quarter in
Amsterdam, who recently visited.
The new dedicated management team is working to take the museum into its next chapter — one that honors the past while embracing the future. We are not just preserving artifacts. We are creating dialogue, connecting cultures, and building community through our three program pillars:
- Jewish Culture and Interreligious Experience
- Migration and Hope: Past and Present
- Mediterranean Heritage
These themes reflect not only our past but also the vibrant, diverse reality of contemporary Europe and the modern world.
How will the funds be used?
Your contribution will help us:
- Expand our exhibitions, both physical and virtual, making history accessible to more people
- Improve our infrastructure and buy equipment for music, dance, lectures, and multimedia presentations
- Develop educational workshops for schools and communities across Italy and eventually beyond
- Preserve and digitize historical documents, photos and personal testimonies from around the world
- Build dialogue-based programming on cultural diversity, Jewish heritage, and peaceful coexistence
When will this happen?
The transformation has already begun. Your support will help us
take the next steps in 2026-2027 launching new exhibitions, upgrading
facilities, and organizing a year-round calendar of events that brings
the museum to life for visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
