This Ragusa visit contained another surprise from Dario…and his only clue was “Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover!”  Dario took us to this innocent door…and an elderly man appeared!

His name was Salvatore Appiano and he invited us into what turned out to be his “museum”!

His home is an astonishing collection of furnishings, musical instruments, eighteenth-century paintings, wooden works, table services from different eras, cultures and productions. A lifetime of research and restorations have yielded six expertly arranged rooms, steeped in history and refined culture, and located in the baroque heart of Ragusa.

Maestro Appiano is a retired organ player. After playing with great musicians, including accompanying Maria Callas on the piano, Maestro Salvatore today gives piano lessons and performs private concerts for small groups where he performs his compositions. His family, originally from Trento, were descended from the Appiano princes. It was a family of art enthusiasts for generations – as well as artists, musicians, painters, and even popes, like Pope Urban VI (1386). He was born with a passion for anything related to the art he has protected.

Never judge a book by its cover!!!