Preserving identities in museums and ecomuseums

Extensive spaces that regenerate areas and communities through culture and engagement

There are places where culture is not enclosed inside four walls, but experienced in everyday life, in the shape of landscapes, traditions and shared stories. They are known as ecomuseums and they are based on a concept developed in the 1970s by the French museologist Georges Henri Rivière and the ethnologist Hugues de Varine, who introduced the idea of an “open” museum, featuring strong local roots and community participation. 

More than just storage spaces for objects, ecomuseums are genuine cultural and social initiatives that champion the powerful connections between people, places and collective memory. Unlike traditional museums, which focus on displaying collections, these spaces extend beyond physical boundaries and are built in conjunction with inhabitants, during participatory processes that preserve and convey the identities of places. 

The goals of museums and ecomuseums 

While traditional museums store and display works or finds in order to present historical, artistic and scientific heritage, ecomuseums take a more extensive approach that also encompasses landscapes, trades, knowledge and relationships.

Both aim to pass on knowledge and raise awareness, but ecomuseums stand out due to their collaborative, territorial nature, which sees communities taking centre stage and serving as custodians and narrators. Museums and ecomuseums play an active role in social cohesion, cultural regeneration and local economic development, helping to create more ethical, participatory and sustainable tourism. This same vision is behind the SMARTIES for SMEs project, which sees widespread cultural heritage as a key strategic contributor to the future of local areas.

Examples of ecomuseums in Italy and Europe

In Italy and Europe, there are various examples of how open-air museums and ecomuseum-inspired initiatives can drive sustainable development and territorial regeneration. In Croatia, Kotli Eco-Ethno Village in inland Istria promotes the local natural and culinary heritage, actively engaging the community and organising tradition-based experiences. In Greece, the Open-Air Water Power Museum in Dimitsana showcases traditional hydropower technologies during educational activities and practical workshops, strengthening historical memories and boosting local employment. In Tuscany, the Baratti and Populonia Archaeological Park is an open-air museum that combines conservation of Etruscan heritage with hands-on cultural initiatives, fostering sustainable, informed tourism. These examples show the potential of ecomuseums and open-air museums when it comes to promoting local culture, strengthening the sense of community and generating social and economic value in their local areas.