Museo del Coltello Sardo

About the museum

The museum was created by restoring an old house adjacent to the workshop of master knife-maker Paolo Pusceddu, with careful restoration work. It collects objects brought together over years of research and exchange and is laid out in four rooms. The name of the classic belly-bladed knife, the Arburesa, comes from Arbus, in the south-west of Sardinia: here in 1977 Paolo Pusceddu, after the death of the Spina brothers, well-known knife-makers from Gonnosfanadiga, founded the cutlery L’Arburesa and revived some ancient forms, turning them from simple everyday objects into works of art.

In the first room, on the ground floor, a collection of about one hundred antique knives traces the history of the Sardinian knife, with pieces of great value such as a leppa from Sardinia or buschesa, issued to the regular troops of the Giudicato d’Arborea. The second room presents over one hundred and fifty works by the masters Paolo and Tobia Pusceddu. The third is a faithful reconstruction of an ancient blacksmith's workshop (su ferreri) with authentic tools from the early 20th century, including a bellows, a flywheel drill, a treadle grindstone and an anvil.

The fourth room, on the upper floor, brings together the most representative products of contemporary knife-makers in Sardinia and two stone sculptures with metal inlays. One wall is decorated with a mural depicting master Paolo Pusceddu at work, while from above hang wooden reproductions of ancient warships with bronze miniatures inspired by the Nuragic bronzetti of the Museo archeologico di Cagliari.

Highlights

• About one hundred antique knives that tell the history of the Sardinian knife
• Leppa from the troops of the Giudicato d’Arborea
• Over one hundred and fifty works by the masters Paolo and Tobia Pusceddu
• Reconstruction of an ancient blacksmith's workshop with authentic tools
• Collection of contemporary knife-makers from Sardinia

Permanent exhibition

• Collezione permanente: la storia del coltello sardo – Four rooms with historic knives, works of the L’Arburesa cutlery, a reconstructed forge and knives by contemporary masters.

Operated by

Coltelleria L’Arburesa (famiglia Pusceddu)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free.

Accessibility

• Partially 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 Sardinia Region listing, facilitated physical access is not available on the first floor.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Wi-Fi

Services listed by the Sardinia Region listing: cloakroom, Wi-Fi and bookshop. The adjoining cutlery sells handmade knives.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit