Museo del Culatello e del Masalén

About the museum

The Museo del Culatello e del Masalén is part of the network of the Musei del Cibo of the Province of Parma and is located in the Antica Corte Pallavicina, at Polesine, in the Bassa Parmense near the Po. The landscape of poplar groves, river and mist is presented as an essential ingredient in the taste of Culatello.

The route begins with the land and the pig: domestication, the local black breed and the symbolism of the animal in postcards, books, satire, advertising and stamps, with a section on Saint Anthony the Abbot, who is always depicted with a piglet. One room is devoted to the Spigaroli family, once sharecroppers of Giuseppe Verdi and later restaurateurs on the Po, and to the masalén, the butchers who slaughtered the pigs, with bas-reliefs and a collection of objects.

Visitors then descend into a large cellar that introduces the “secret world” of Culatello, and continue with the qualities of pork meat, salt, pepper and the main cured meats of the Bassa. This is followed by the history of Culatello, covering its iconography, stages of production and the ritual of tasting, with references to Verdi, D’Annunzio and Guareschi, and the gallery of culatelli maturing. The visit ends in the Hosteria with a tasting.

Highlights

• Set in the Antica Corte Pallavicina, in the Bassa Parmense
• Section on the black pig and the masalén pork butchers
• Large underground cellar devoted to Culatello
• Gallery of culatelli maturing
• Final tasting at the Hosteria
• Audio guide included in the ticket

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso espositivo permanente – Eight stages, from the land and the pig to the pork butchers, the cellar, the history of Culatello and the gallery of culatelli, with a final tasting.

Operated by

Provincia di Parma – Musei del Cibo

Visitors per year

approx. 4,921

Admission & discounts

The full ticket includes the audio guide in Italian, English and French. Free admission for teachers, group escorts, journalists and children under 6. Booking is required for groups and schools.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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

Free admission for people with disabilities with a companion; the website gives no further details on accessibility.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

A single family ticket is available for two adults and all children; admission is free under 6.

Getting there & parking

The museum is about 38 km from Parma; the website gives driving directions from Parma and from the A1 and A21 motorways. School transport and electric car hire are available on booking.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop

The complex houses the Hosteria del Maiale e del Culatello and a starred restaurant (booking recommended, tel. 0524 936539); the Agribottega sells books, food products, local cheeses and cured meats.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit