Ghiacciaia della Madonnina
Historic ice house with a truncated-cone shape and straw roof at Le Piastre, part of the Itinerario del Ghiaccio of the Ecomuseo della Montagna Pistoiese.
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About the museum
The Ghiacciaia della Madonnina, on the Via Modenese (SS 66) at Le Piastre, belongs to the Itinerario del Ghiaccio of the Ecomuseo della Montagna Pistoiese, one of the routes through which the ecomuseum has been active since its founding in the late 1980s. The route traces the history of natural ice production, which developed in the Montagna Pistoiese from the late 18th century to the early decades of the 20th century, mainly along the Reno valley.
The building, with its distinctive truncated-cone shape and straw roof, was used to store and preserve the ice. This formed in artificial basins fed by the water of the Reno river, using a system of weirs, channels and sluices and the intense cold of winter. Inside, the visit tells the story of the ingenious work of the ice cutter, accompanied by sculptures by Leonardo Begliomini and music by Maurizio Geri.
The visit is part of the wider ecomuseum system, a network of open-air routes, museums, educational centres and historic structures. The Sentiero della Ghiacciaia, a hiking trail of about 9 km with bilingual signage linking Le Piastre to Pontepetri, also starts at the ice house and shows other traces of the activity.
Highlights
- Truncated-cone ice house with straw roof
- Route with sculptures by Leonardo Begliomini and music by Maurizio Geri
- Sentiero della Ghiacciaia, about 9 km long, to Pontepetri
- Part of the Ecomuseo della Montagna Pistoiese
Permanent exhibition
- Itinerario del Ghiaccio – Route through the Ghiacciaia della Madonnina on the production and storage of natural ice in the Montagna Pistoiese, with original sculptures and music.
- Founded
- 1999
- Operated by
- Associazione Ecomuseo della Montagna Pistoiese
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups | –Guided visits outside opening hours are booked via the toll-free number; rates are agreed at the time of booking. |
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Admission by voluntary contribution (2026 price list of the ecomuseum).
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 ice house is located along the Via Modenese (SS 66), in the locality of Le Piastre. The Sentiero della Ghiacciaia, about 9 km long, links Le Piastre with Pontepetri; access is always forbidden when there is a weather alert.
Get directionsAmenities & 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 |
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| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | On opening days the visit starts with the guide at the ice house. For visits outside opening hours, call the toll-free number 800 974 102 (available every day) or write to ecomuseopt@gmail.com. The ecomuseum also offers programmes for schools. |
