Tipografia Grifani Donati 1799 – Museo delle Arti Grafiche
Museum-workshop of graphic arts in a printing house active since 1799 in Città di Castello, with working machinery and guided visits that include printing.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Tipografia Grifani Donati 1799 is located in the old 12th-century monastery at number 4 Corso Cavour in Città di Castello. It was founded by Francesco Donati and Bartolomeo Carlucci and then passed from hand to hand to Biagio Donati, Giuseppe and Ernesto Grifani, Alberto, Mario, Italo and finally Gianni Ottaviani, who now runs it with his wife Adriana and their children. According to its owners, it is the only printing house in Europe that still prints with the ancient direct printing techniques: letterpress, copperplate engraving and lithography.
Besides craft production, the printing house has always hosted exhibitions and events. In 2004 the Umbria Region recognised it as “of considerable interest for public enjoyment”, and in 2005 the Museo delle Arti Grafiche was opened, designed together with the intellectuals Roberto Lensi and Enrico Castelli: a museum-studio in which all the machines on display are working and in use.
Since 2014 the association Caratteri dal 1799 ODV has managed the museum’s activities: exhibitions, installations, performances, workshops for artists and enthusiasts and workshops for children. The master printer guides visitors through the history of printing and its ancient techniques; a 360° virtual tour is also available.
Highlights
- Historic machines still in working order
- Printing with ancient techniques: letterpress, copperplate engraving, lithography
- Housed in the old 12th-century monastery
- Guided visit with the master printer
- Educational workshops for children and schools
- 360° virtual tour
Permanent exhibition
- Museo vivente delle Arti Grafiche – Historic machines still in working order and the workshop of a printing house active since 1799, where ancient printing techniques are demonstrated.
- Founded
- 2005
- Operated by
- Associazione Caratteri dal 1799 ODV
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €4 |
|---|---|
| Guided visit with two prints made during the visit | €12Price per person |
| Primary schools | €2 |
| Lower and upper secondary schools | €3 |
Rates from the 2025 opening hours and prices list of the museums of Città di Castello.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
For schools and children there is an educational workshop on the world of printing, bookable in advance.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
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
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The museum offers guided visits with the master printer, educational workshops for schools and children, and workshops for artists, bookable via the website. |
