Museo dei Gessi
University collection of plaster casts of famous Greek and Roman sculptures, housed in the Palazzo Albani in Urbino.
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About the museum
The Museo dei Gessi holds a small but valuable collection of plaster casts, mostly from the 18th and 19th centuries, reproducing famous Greek and Roman sculptures that are now kept in major European museums. The casts were acquired by the Istituto di Belle Arti delle Marche after its founding in 1861 and still belong to the Scuola del libro – Liceo Artistico di Urbino.
From 1974, under an agreement between the Istituto di Archeologia of the University, the school and the heritage authority for fine arts (Soprintendenza alle Belle Arti), the sculptures were moved to the Palazzo Albani. The first display opened in 1988; after the palace was restored, a new display was set up in 2012.
The collection reflects the 19th-century interest in classical antiquity and the use of casts in artistic training. It is now managed by the Università di Urbino Carlo Bo. Its history and catalogue are described in a volume published in 2022.
Highlights
- Plaster casts of famous Greek and Roman sculptures
- About forty 19th-century casts from the former Istituto di Belle Arti delle Marche
- Displayed in the Palazzo Albani
- Free admission
Permanent exhibition
- Raccolta di calchi in gesso – Casts of Greek and Roman sculptures acquired by the Istituto di Belle Arti delle Marche after 1861 and now displayed in the Palazzo Albani.
- Founded
- 1988
- Operated by
- Università degli Studi di Urbino Carlo Bo
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission, no ticket needed; visitors sign the register at the entrance.
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
According to the university, architectural barriers have been removed.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum is in the Palazzo Albani, home of the Department of Humanities, in the historic centre of Urbino.
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
| Good to know | Free admission upon signing the visitors’ register; no more than 25 people may be in the rooms at a time. The museum takes part in events such as the Notte dei musei (Italian Museum Night) and the Giornate FAI (FAI Heritage Days). |
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