Stupore (Wonder)
A symbol of peace through heritage
The artwork “Stupore” embodies the Life Beyond Tourism® philosophy — transforming heritage from a monument to a living force for peace. Created in Tuscany, it symbolizes the passage from the metal of war to the metal of peace.
The Reason Behind the Work
From Vision to a Symbol of Peace
”Stupore” (“Wonder”) was created as a tangible expression of the ethics and philosophy of Life Beyond Tourism®—a model that transforms tourism from mere consumption of goods and services into an opportunity for encounter and dialogue among cultures.
The work embodies a journey of thought — born in the world of enterprise, developed by the Romualdo Del Bianco Foundation, and now shared internationally — which aims to build peace through heritage and mutual understanding.
Its symbolic message lies in the transformation from the metal of war to the metal of peace: an original 88mm shell from the Second World War, made of “firing brass,” has been turned into an integral part of an artwork celebrating “breathing brass,” the metal of musical instruments that unite and communicate.
“Stupore” is not a static monument but a dynamic symbol, inviting reflection and action — transforming conflict into dialogue, closure into understanding, habit into awareness. It is the material representation of the Third Way, the path where World Heritage Sites become spaces for the Culture of Dialogue among cultures — the UNESCO Way — where travel becomes a mission for peace.
The Creative Process
Artisans’ Mastery Shaping an Ethical Message
The creation of Stupore brought together a vast network of artisans, technicians, and master craftsmen who gave tangible form to a universal idea.
Over nine months of work, skills, hands, and sensibilities from across Tuscany — Florence, Impruneta, Pietrasanta, Querceta, Reggello, San Gimignano, Scarperia, Tagliaferro, and Viareggio — came together in a shared effort to craft an artwork dedicated to peace.
From the bronze casting at Fonderia Mariani to the brass components by Francesco Mutti; from the wood modeling by CMM in San Gimignano to the steel structures by Carlo Leonardi; through to the engraving, coatings, lighting, and finishing touches by numerous artisans — every contribution became an essential part of the whole.
Stupore thus stands as a collective work of art, born from the synergy of artistic vision, technical mastery, and human spirit — a testament to how shared craftsmanship can generate both beauty and meaning, transforming raw material into a universal language of dialogue and peace.
The Completion in Florence
A New Beginning for Intercultural Dialogue
Florence — the city of the Renaissance and rebirth — is where Stupore has reached its completion.
Here, within Palazzo Coppini – Study Centre for the Encounter among Cultures, the work becomes part of the legacy of the Romualdo Del Bianco Foundation and the Life Beyond Tourism® model, symbolizing the continuity between enterprise, culture, and civic responsibility.
Stupore will be unveiled on 26 November 2025 during the ceremony 1945–2025: From the Metal of War to the Metal of Peace, marking the opening of The World in Florence – Heritage: Peace & Move (27–28 November 2025).
The choice of Florence is deeply meaningful: as a laboratory of intercultural dialogue, it provides the ideal setting for the launch of the first International Workshop of Best Practices, where institutions, communities, and enterprises will translate the message of the artwork into concrete actions for the Culture of Dialogue among Cultures.
Stupore thus becomes the meeting point between past and future, between matter and spirit, between art and life — a universal invitation to build peace through mutual understanding.
Join the Call for Peace
The artwork Stupore embodies the spirit of the Heritage for Building Peace 2025 Appeal — a global invitation to transform heritage sites into places of encounter and dialogue among cultures.
We invite everyone who believes in the power of cultural diversity to contribute to this shared mission by signing the Appeal.
