This new anti-mafia museum is housed in a villa dating back to the 18th century

On May 23, 2023, a significant milestone will be reached as it marks the 31st anniversary of a pivotal moment in the conflict between Sicily's Cosa Nostra mafia and the Italian government. This date, however, will now hold even greater significance with the inauguration of a new anti-mafia museum in Palermo, Italy. The museum is dedicated to commemorating the lives of Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, two courageous leaders who fought against organized crime and tragically fell victim to the Sicilian mafia within a span of just 57 days.

According to sources, the museum has been made possible through both public and private funding and will be housed in Palermo's majestic 18th-century neoclassical Palazzo Jung palace. This new institution will join the existing No Mafia Memorial and museum, further solidifying Palermo's commitment to combating the influence of the mafia. The museum will feature a wealth of archival documents, films, and photographs on loan from renowned Italian museums, providing visitors with a comprehensive understanding of the anti-mafia struggle. Additionally, immersive experiences utilizing scent and sound will be incorporated, enhancing the visitors' engagement with the exhibits.

Exciting plans are already underway for two additional locations of the museum in Rome and Bolzano, ensuring that the legacy of Falcone and Borsellino, as well as the ongoing fight against organized crime, will be widely recognized and remembered throughout Italy. Founded by Maria Falcone, sister of Giovanni Falcone, the foundation is spearheading a campaign to create an Anti-Mafia Investigative Directorate. The late Falcone was killed on May 23, 1992, in an explosion detonated by mobsters in a last-ditch effort to thwart plans.

Falcone and Borsellino were both contenders for the position of "Super Prosecutor" within the DNA (Direzione Nazionale Antimafia), Italy's national anti-mafia agency. Tragically, they met their untimely deaths through bomb attacks. Falcone was the first to fall, victim, killed by a massive 1,100-pound explosion that was so powerful it registered on earthquake monitors located on the opposite side of Sicily. Maria Falcone, in a statement, emphasized that the foundation's latest undertaking would be more than just a museum dedicated to preserving memories. She described it as a vibrant space where people could come together, a unique cultural venue that would unite various institutions such as the State Police and the Carabinieri, private individuals, and partner museums.

This new museum project builds upon the foundation's existing anti-mafia initiatives in Palermo. In 2022, they launched the Spazi Capaci project, which enlisted the participation of artists like Buglisi, Demetz, and Vitali to create public art throughout the city.

Described as a place of involvement and opportunity, the Mayor of Palermo reiterated his vision, emphasizing the importance of involving young students as the leading protagonists in the museum's development. He hopes that the museum will be interactive, engaging, and mobile, with the aim of not only showcasing Palermo's history but also taking it to other cities across Italy. Lagalla envisions the museum as a welcoming and contemplative space, serving as a platform for tourists, workers, brands, and all people to come together for reflection and discussion.