Museo del Giocattolo – Casa del Fante
Permanent museum in Torre Ratti with 250 art toys made from recycled materials by the painter Enrico Debenedetti, in a 14th-century house.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum, opened on Sunday 30 October 2016, occupies the Casa del Fante, a 14th-century municipally owned building in Torre Ratti, a hamlet of Borghetto di Borbera. The building belongs to the castle, stands at the level of the outer enclosure and adjoins the watchtower that once served as the entrance gate to the village; it was the guardroom of the castle, staffed by seven foot soldiers (“fanti”). The building has wooden ceilings and beams and arched windows with stone surrounds, and it has recently been renovated.
The permanent collection comprises 250 unique pieces, catalogued, made and donated by Enrico Debenedetti, a professional painter from Arquata Scrivia. Drawing on Pop Art and on painters such as Mario Schifano, the artist transformed salvaged objects into toys that are works of art: the idea came about some twenty years before the opening, when he built a few toys for the nursery school where his wife taught.
The route, which runs from recycling to the toy, invites adults and children to rediscover the original nature of play and imagination. The museum offers guided tours for schools.
Highlights
- 250 unique toys by Enrico Debenedetti, made from recycled materials
- 14th-century Casa del Fante, next to the castle tower at Torre Ratti
- Art trail on play, between Pop Art and imagination
- Guided tours for schools
Permanent exhibition
- Dalla poetica del riciclo al giocattolo – 250 toy artworks by Enrico Debenedetti made from salvaged materials, in a route on the art of recycling and on play.
- Founded
- 2016
- Operated by
- Comune di Borghetto di Borbera
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
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Kids & families
Great for kids & families
A museum of art toys designed for adults and children, with guided tours for schools.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours for schools are available; information and bookings on +39 346 079 1740 and +39 338 859 1744. |
