Naples Unveils “Parthenope: The Siren and the City” Exhibition at MANN
Naples, Italy – The National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN) has opened a captivating exhibition titled “Parthenope: The Siren and the City,” which delves into the ancient myth of the siren Parthenope and her deep-rooted ties to the city of Naples. The exhibition, which commenced yesterday, April 10, 2026, will be open to the public until July 6, 2026.
The Legend of Parthenope: A City’s Origin Story
According to Greek mythology, the sirens, devastated by Odysseus’s indifference to their enchanting song, cast themselves into the sea. The body of one such siren, Parthenope, was carried by the currents to the shores of Campania, where it was buried on the beach beneath the hill where Castel dell’Ovo now stands. This legendary burial site is believed to be the birthplace of ancient Naples, which subsequently adopted the siren’s name.
Centuries have passed, yet the memory of Parthenope remains vividly alive in Naples. The current exhibition at MANN seeks to illuminate this enduring legacy, showcasing more than 250 artifacts dating from the 8th century BC to contemporary times. These pieces have been meticulously gathered from 40 prominent museums across Italy, Europe, and the United States, all contributing to an in-depth investigation into Parthenope’s pervasive influence on the Neapolitan collective imagination and her connections to the sea, navigation, music, and seduction.
A Journey Through Time: Tracing the Siren’s Evolution
The exhibition highlights the multifaceted presence of sirens in Naples, from the coinage of ancient Neapolis and the historic Fontana di Spinacorona (known colloquially as the “fountain of breasts”) to the intricate decorations of the Teatro San Carlo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, and even contemporary murals. However, the true nature of these captivating creatures has undergone significant transformations throughout history.
Initially, Greek mythology depicted sirens as bird-like beings with human heads. Over time, their imagery evolved, first into women with bird legs, and then, in the Early Middle Ages, into the familiar form of maidens with fish tails. Similarly, the dangerous enchantresses sung about by Homer gradually transformed into benevolent protectors of humanity. The inhabitants of ancient Neapolis, for instance, revered Parthenope as a founding deity, dedicating the lampadodromie – ritual torch races – in her honor. Recent archaeological excavations in Piazza Nicola Amore have even uncovered the remains of the sanctuary for the Isolympic Games, where these races continued into the Roman era.
Unearthing Ancient Connections and Modern Interpretations
Starting with Homer’s Odyssey, the MANN exhibition meticulously reconstructs the saga of the sirens, with a particular focus on the ancient settlement of Parthenope on the promontory of Pizzofalcone. The display features previously unexhibited artifacts, some from a private collection and others recovered during subway construction excavations. These discoveries have allowed for the dating of the site’s foundation to the 8th century BC and offer invaluable insights into the extensive trade and cultural networks in which it was embedded.
Another key aspect explored is the ritual and political function of the siren in Neapolis, the “new city” founded shortly after Parthenope in the late 6th century BC. The exhibition then expands its scope to examine the siren’s role in the history, art, music, religion, and audiovisual culture of modern and contemporary Naples.
Statues, reliefs, exquisite Greek vases, fresco fragments, oil lamps, ancient books, and engravings illustrate the evolving iconography of sirens, culminating in contemporary expressions of their enduring presence. These include a 17th-century silver bust of Saint Patricia, which will temporarily leave the exhibition for the solemn procession of San Gennaro, as well as contemporary murals and a grand installation by Argentine artist Francesco Bosoletti. This 45-square-meter canvas, created specifically for the exhibition and donated to MANN by the artist, vividly reinterprets Parthenope’s suicidal plunge.
An Immersive Journey Through Naples
Curated by Francesco Sirano, Massimo Osanna, Raffaella Bosso, and Laura Forte, “Parthenope: The Siren and the City” is complemented by a thematic itinerary through the streets of Naples. The journey begins at the 18th-century Palazzo Sanfelice, where two majestic sculpted sirens greet visitors at the entrance.
At the Renaissance-era Fontana di Spinacorona, or “fountain of breasts,” women in the 19th century would still seek protection during childbirth. Here, the siren is depicted in her ancient iconography as a winged maiden with bird’s feet, standing atop Mount Vesuvius, calming the volcano’s fury with water flowing from her breasts. The walking tour continues to explore contemporary street art, featuring the “Siren Lilith,” a symbol of the unsettling nature inherent in hybrid and non-conforming creatures, and the “Siren Ciaciona,” an ode to life and the exuberant forms of Mediterranean women, whose beauty transcends conventional stereotypes.
While the “Triade di Partenope” at the Teatro San Carlo faithfully reproduces the representations found on ancient Neapolis silver coins, the siren takes center stage at the monumental fountain in Piazza Sannazaro in Mergellina.
Source: https://www.arte.it/notizie/napoli/la-sirena-e-la-citt%C3%A0-napoli-celebra-il-mito-di-partenope-22812
