A group of scientists, each working independently in Italy in the Eighteenth Century, discovered revolutionary methods for arresting the decomposition of organic matter. Their aim was to preserve human bodies intact after death in perpetuity. They confronted superstition, the suspicion of religious authorities, and often the ostracism of the academic world of the time. Nonetheless, the results of their studies still exist today: human bodies which look like painted statues; perfect complexions and serene expressions on the faces of corpses who seem to be sleeping. These scientists went down in history as the “pietrificatori”.

Venice, ancient and marvellous city gladly exhibiting herself. Venice is hiding many secrets: stories suspended between reality and legend, involving real people but also fading into nightmares’ most horrid reality. A past inextricably bound up with the city's fate.Our journey will take us to a less known Venice, a darker one maybe, hosting one of the most influential European communities of Knights Templars, willing to reveal itself to us through the symbols of her past.