Museo della Ceramica e Biblioteca di Cutrofiano

About the museum

The Museo della ceramica di Cutrofiano was established in 1985 and is the oldest ceramics museum in Apulia. It grew out of a collection of traditional objects made between the late 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, which remained in use in the town's homes until the 1970s; the project was the work of Salvatore Matteo, who involved the local community. From the outset the museum has shared its premises with the municipal library, which has a section specialising in studies of ceramics.

The collection includes local artefacts, objects from other centres of the Terra d’Otranto and from other Italian regions, and finds from archaeological recoveries and digs. In 2015, for its 30th anniversary, the display was renewed under the coordination of Marco Leo Imperiale of the University of Salento and with the scientific supervision of Paul Arthur.

The route is divided into three rooms: the first illustrates ceramic production, with a treadle wheel, glazing oxides, workshop tools and production waste; the second presents everyday ceramics, grouped by function; the third, the largest, traces the history of production in Cutrofiano from Roman times, the families of potters active from the 16th–17th centuries, and majolica and glazed ceramics from the 16th to the 19th century.

Highlights

• Treadle wheel and workshop tools
• Everyday ceramics grouped by function
• Majolica and glazed ceramics from the 16th to the 19th century
• Selection of ceramic whistles
• Interactive bench, gesture catalogue and augmented reality
• Library specialising in ceramics studies

Permanent exhibition

• Collezione permanente di ceramica – Three rooms devoted to the production, everyday use and history of Cutrofiano ceramics, with majolica from the 16th to the 19th century.

Founded

1985

Operated by

Comune di Cutrofiano

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the museum is free; guided tours are charged.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Panels in Braille and 3D reproductions; multimedia content also accessible in Italian Sign Language (LIS) via QR or NFC codes; an LIS interpreter can be booked one week in advance.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Accessible educational workshops and activities for families and children; interactive stations and an augmented reality experience in a virtual potter's workshop.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Online bookshop; specialist library attached to the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit