Museo d'Arte Preistorica – CeSMAP
Pinerolo museum of the CeSMAP with dioramas on human evolution and casts of European rock engravings, unique in Italy of its kind.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Centro Studi e Museo d'Arte Preistorica (CeSMAP) in Pinerolo was founded in 1964 and combines research with public outreach. It is based in Palazzo Vittone, a Baroque building of 1740 that was once the Ospizio dei Catecumeni (Catechumens’ Hospice), designed by the royal architect Bernardo Vittone, and is now used as a museum and exhibition space.
The displays reflect the museum’s two main areas of activity, research and education. Room 1 has an introductory character and presents nine dioramas on the stages of human biological and cultural evolution, from the Lower Palaeolithic to the Iron Age, with captions in three levels of language designed for primary, middle and secondary schools.
Room 2 is devoted to European rock art and displays plaster casts of engravings made using the “SRB system”, developed in the centre’s laboratory in collaboration with the French CNRS (National Centre for Scientific Research); the reproductions include the Bull of Papasidero and the Chief of Monte Bego. Room 3 illustrates research in the Pinerolese area, with casts of engravings from the Rocca di Cavour, the Val Chisone and the Val Pellice.
Highlights
- Nine dioramas on human evolution from the Lower Palaeolithic to the Iron Age
- Casts of famous European rock engravings, including the Bull of Papasidero
- Replica of the Chief of Monte Bego
- Engravings from the Pinerolese area: Rocca di Cavour, Val Chisone, Val Pellice
- Housed in the Baroque Palazzo Vittone
- Founded
- 1964
- Operated by
- CeSMAP – Centro Studi e Museo d'Arte Preistorica
- Visitors per year
- approx. 1,500
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- 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 museum is listed as accessible to people with disabilities.
Kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
The centre organises workshops and Sunday activities for families and schools.
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
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The CeSMAP offers educational activities for schools and workshops for families; visits for guided tours and groups must be booked in advance. |
