Antica Ferriera Papini

About the museum

The Antica Ferriera Papini stands at Maresca, on the Montagna Pistoiese, in Via del Molin Vecchio. Sources date its origins to the mid-14th century (it is documented as working in 1388) and describe it as one of the oldest ironworks in Tuscany; it continued working until the 1980s. The area had no iron ore but was rich in woods and water, used as fuel and as motive power: from the 14th century it was the most important iron-making area of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.

Today the ironworks is a museum that preserves original hydraulic and mechanical machinery, water-driven wheels, trip hammers and a plant for producing compressed air, as well as blacksmiths’ tools. A local craftsman accompanies visitors and gives hammering and forging demonstrations, showing the blacksmith’s trade live; in the teaching workshops some processes can be tried.

The ironworks is part of the Itinerario del Ferro (Iron Trail) of the Ecomuseo della Montagna Pistoiese, a route on the history of local iron production that ends at Pontepetri with the Museo del Ferro and the Giardino dell’Energia Rinnovabile.

Highlights

• Original hydraulic and mechanical machinery, with wheels and trip hammers driven by water
• Plant for producing compressed air
• Hammering and forging demonstrations led by a craftsman
• One of the oldest ironworks in Tuscany, active until the 1980s

Founded

1350

Operated by

Ecomuseo della Montagna Pistoiese

Visitors per year

approx. 1,406

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

According to the Ecomuseum’s 2026 price list admission is by donation. For guided visits outside opening hours, rates are agreed at the time of booking.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

In the teaching workshops visitors can try some of the blacksmiths’ processes.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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Plan your visit