La Casa delle Marionette
Museum in Ravenna with the Monticelli Collection of marionettes, hand puppets, stage sets and scripts of the Italian puppet theatre, dating from 1840.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum La Casa delle Marionette is in the centre of Ravenna, a short walk from Piazza del Popolo, and houses the Collezione Monticelli: performance material from the Italian tradition of marionette and hand-puppet theatre dating back to 1840. The Monticelli family, known as the Teatro del Drago, has guarded this art for five unbroken generations; the current company was founded in 1979 by Andrea and Mauro Monticelli.
The collection comprises 63 marionettes, 150 hand puppets and 132 stage sets, mostly made of paper and dating largely to the first half of the 19th century, as well as about 133 scripts, almost all handwritten, including twelve by Ariodante Monticelli, the founder of the family line. Some of the marionettes come from the “Fantocci Lirici Yambo” company of Enrico Novelli and from the Picchi family. The hand puppets include Emilian masks such as Fagiolino, Sandrone and Dottor Balanzone.
Since 2021 the museum has been accredited among the Musei di qualità (Quality Museums) of Emilia-Romagna Region, and it coordinates ReTeFì, the network of puppet theatre museums in the region. It organises guided tours, traditional puppet shows and workshops.
Highlights
- 63 marionettes and 150 hand puppets from the Monticelli Collection
- 132 paper stage sets from the 19th century
- About 133 handwritten scripts, including those of Ariodante Monticelli
- Emilian masks: Fagiolino, Sandrone, Dottor Balanzone
- Workshops and shows by the Teatro del Drago
- Operated by
- Teatro del Drago
- Visitors per year
- approx. 1,000
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 2 · Free admission under 3 years. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free and priority admission for people with disabilities and one companion (D.M. 507/97 and L. 104/92). |
Free admission also with the RomagnaVisit Card.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- 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
At the main entrance on Vicolo Padenna 4/A there is a platform lift for visitors with mobility impairments; accessible toilets are available along the route.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 2 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
Puppet shows and workshops for building hand puppets and marionettes for children and schools.
Getting there & parking
The museum is closed for safety works until a date to be confirmed.
Amenities & dining
The museum is closed for safety works until a date to be confirmed.
Events & venue rental
The museum is closed for safety works until a date to be confirmed.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The museum organises guided tours, traditional puppet shows, construction workshops and the school project “Il Museo va… a scuola” (The Museum Goes to School). Bookings at +39 392 666 4211 or prenotazione@teatrodeldrago.it. |
