Casa Museo dell'Alchimista

About the museum

The house was built between the late 15th and early 16th centuries at Valdenogher, a hamlet of Tambre, in the Alpago area. In the 18th century it passed to a wealthy family from Serravalle, whose heirs lived there until the 1960s. The Comune di Tambre later transferred it to the Comunità Montana dell'Alpago, which began restoration in the 1980s under the guidance of the heritage authority (Soprintendenza); since 2003 it has been open to visitors as a house museum. A local legend links it to an alchemist whose identity is unknown.

The building has three floors and a portico with three arches. The façade shows reliefs in red stone with vines and vases, a twin window in Venetian style and, in the keystones, two caduceuses and a head of Ermes. Inside there are no original alchemical instruments or works: the visit relies on panels in every room and on the “ghost books” that explain the symbols.

The three floors represent the three phases of the alchemical work: the nigredo in the blackened rooms of the ground floor, where an athanor has been reconstructed, the albedo on the floor lit by the twin window, and the rubedo on the top floor. The building belongs to the Unione Montana dell'Alpago and is run by the Pro Loco di Tambre, with volunteer guides.

Highlights

• Façade with three-arched portico, caduceuses and head of Ermes
• Reconstructed athanor on the ground floor
• Three-floor route: nigredo, albedo and rubedo
• Panels and “ghost books” explaining the alchemical symbols

Permanent exhibition

• Casa dell'Alchimista – Three-floor route inspired by the stages of the alchemical work, with a reconstructed athanor, reliefs and explanatory panels.

Founded

2003

Operated by

Unione Montana dell'Alpago (gestione Pro Loco di Tambre)

Admission & discounts

Single admission ticket of €5 (Musei Italiani portal, December 2024).

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The house is at Valdenogher, about 4 km from the centre of Tambre and 20 km from Belluno; it is reached on the SP 18 from Lake Santa Croce and from Farra d'Alpago.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit