Museo dei ferri taglienti
Museum of the cutlers of Scarperia, in the north wing of the Palazzo dei Vicari, with the centuries-old history of edged tools and a visit to the 14th-century palace.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo dei Ferri Taglienti (Museum of Edged Tools), opened in 1999, documents the centuries-old activity of the cutlers of Scarperia, a town founded in 1306 by the Florentine Republic as a defensive stronghold along the road to the north. The origins of the production are not known precisely: it may have begun to supply arms to the castle or to meet the needs of farm work in the surrounding countryside. Already in the 15th century Scarperia was famous for knives and other edged tools.
The museum is housed in a new wing of the Palazzo dei Vicari and is run by the Pro Loco Scarperia (local tourist board), under an agreement with the municipality of Scarperia e San Piero, together with the entire museum complex: the oldest part of the palace, with rooms partly furnished and frescoed, and the museum itself in the north wing. The Palazzo dei Vicari, built around the middle of the 14th century, recalls the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence and is covered with the coats of arms of the vicars who governed in turn every six months. Among the state rooms are a fresco of the Madonna and Child with Saints dated 1501 and the mechanism of the tower clock made by Filippo Brunelleschi in 1445.
Just outside the palace, the old cutler’s workshop is part of the route and can be visited with a guide by appointment. The activities are curated by the Centro Ricerca e Documentazione sui Ferri Taglienti, which studies the material culture and history of these objects, and the museum belongs to the Mugello and Florentine Mountains museum system (“Museo Diffuso”). The Mostra dei Ferri Taglienti (exhibition of edged tools) is held every year.
Highlights
- History and production of the cutlers of Scarperia
- 14th-century Palazzo dei Vicari with the coats of arms of the vicars
- Tower clock by Filippo Brunelleschi (1445)
- Old cutler’s workshop (by appointment)
- Educational trails: medieval and on metals
Permanent exhibition
- Museo dei Ferri Taglienti e Palazzo dei Vicari – Collection on the production of Scarperia’s cutlers and a visit to the 14th-century palace with frescoed rooms and the clock by Brunelleschi.
- Founded
- 1999
- Operated by
- Pro Loco Scarperia (in convenzione con il Comune di Scarperia e San Piero)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6over 65s and students under 25 |
| Children & teens | €5free up to age 6 · Children aged 7 to 14: €5; free admission up to age 6. |
| Seniors | €6 |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission for people with disabilities. |
| Students & apprentices | €6Students under 25. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €5 per personAdult groups of more than 15 people: €5 each; school groups: €4 each (teachers free). |
| Families | €14Family ticket for 2 adults and at least one child aged 6 to 18. |
| Guided tour for adult groups (up to 15 people) | €14Per person, admission to the museum complex included: Palazzo dei Vicari, Museo dei Ferri Taglienti, the pre-unification historical archive and the cutler’s workshop |
| Guided tour for adult groups (more than 15 people) | €12Per person, admission to the museum complex included |
| Guided tour for child groups aged 7–14 and school groups | €6Per person; teachers free |
| Educational workshop | €5Per pupil; €3 for pupils of the Istituto Comprensivo di Scarperia e San Piero |
Free admission also for residents of the municipality of Scarperia e San Piero, companions of groups, journalists, licensed guides and ICOM members.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €14 · Family ticket for 2 adults and at least one child aged 6 to 18. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
The museum is part of the Kid Pass museums. Educational workshops (a medieval trail and a trail on metals) are available by booking for schools, summer centres and families with at least 10 participants, lasting about 2 hours.
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 ticket covers the Palazzo dei Vicari and the museum. The cutler’s workshop can be visited with a guide by appointment. |
