Museo del gesso - Castello di Moncucco
Museum in the castle of Moncucco dedicated to the pre-industrial processing of gypsum and its use in the architecture of the Basso Monferrato.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum is housed in the castle of Moncucco Torinese and holds materials on the pre-industrial processing of gypsum and its use in the traditional architecture of the Basso Monferrato, from the 16th century to the early 20th century, with particular attention to ceilings. The Moncucco area is rich in gypsum quarries, exploited since the 17th century: gypsum was used to produce stuccos and ceiling panels, prized for their fire resistance and for their low-cost thermal and acoustic insulation.
The route includes panels on the geology of gypsum, with selenite specimens from the local quarries; the technology of quarrying and kilns, with a model showing the use of pruned vine shoots as fuel; quarrying tools, from the first hand tools to the electromechanical equipment of the post-war period; and gypsum objects such as figurines, ceilings and altar frontals.
The castle, in its present form dating from the 14th and 15th centuries with 17th- and 19th-century alterations, is already mentioned in an imperial charter of 1164 and overlooks the village with a wide view of the Monferrato hills.
Highlights
- Decorated gypsum ceiling panels
- Selenite specimens from the local quarries
- Quarrying tools and kiln model
- Gypsum objects: figurines, ceilings, altar frontals
- Castle with views over the Monferrato hills
Permanent exhibition
- La lavorazione del gesso nel Basso Monferrato – Geology of gypsum, quarrying and kiln technology, tools, ceilings and gypsum objects from the 16th century to the early 20th century.
- Visitors per year
- approx. 220
Admission & discounts
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Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Openings for schools and groups by booking only, via the form on the municipality’s website. In the village, two buildings, the Municipio (town hall) and the Trattoria del Freisa, still retain their original gypsum ceilings. |
