Ecomuseo dell'Alabastro
Museum in Volterra devoted to alabaster working, from Etruscan urns to contemporary design, in the Palazzo Minucci Solaini.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Ecomuseo dell'Alabastro tells the story of the stone working that for centuries shaped the economy and identity of Volterra. The museum is part of a network project spread across three municipalities, Volterra, Castellina Marittima and Santa Luce, each with its own exhibition centre. The Volterra seat is in the 14th-century Torri Minucci, near Piazza dei Priori, and is linked to the Pinacoteca civica in Palazzo Minucci Solaini.
The route is organised in three sections. The first explains the origin of alabaster and presents a reconstruction of an ancient workshop with pole lathes. The second traces the history of the craft from the Etruscan period to today, with Etruscan cinerary urns, medieval capitals and decorative objects from the 18th century onwards. The third is devoted to alabaster works and to the history of design from the 20th century to the present day.
Admission is included in the ticket for the Pinacoteca and in the Volterra Card, which also covers the city's other cultural sites.
Highlights
- Reconstruction of an ancient workshop with a pole lathe
- Etruscan cinerary urns and medieval alabaster capitals
- Decorative objects from the 18th century onwards
- Alabaster works and design from the 20th century to today
Permanent exhibition
- Collezione permanente: la lavorazione dell'alabastro – Three sections on the origin of alabaster, the history of its working from the Etruscan period to today, and alabaster design of the 20th century.
- Founded
- 2003
- Operated by
- Comune di Volterra
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
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| Reduced | €8children aged 6 to 18, over-65s, members of the Touring Club Italiano and the FAI |
| Children & teens | €8free up to age 5 · Free admission up to age 5; reduced ticket for ages 6 to 18 |
| Seniors | €8Over 65 |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and a companion |
| Groups (10+ people) | €6 per personGroups of at least 10 people |
| Families | €32Volterra Card family: children aged 6 to 18 with one or two adults, up to 5 people |
| Volterra Card (72 hours, all of the city's cultural sites) | €23Reduced €18 for ages 6–25, university students, over-65s, TCI and FAI members |
Free admission also for residents of Volterra, students of the local school district, accompanying teachers, tourist guides, journalists and ICOM members. Tickets are bought online via Vivaticket.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The website of the Musei di Volterra refers to an accessibility statement; free admission for people with disabilities and a companion.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
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
| Good to know | Bookings by e-mail to prenotazionemusei@comune.volterra.pi.it. |
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