Museo del Giocattolo di Zagarolo
Demo-anthropological museum in the 16th-century Palazzo Rospigliosi, with about 1,000 toys on display from the 19th century to today, including dolls, automata and puppet theatres.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum was established by the municipality of Zagarolo by resolution of 1998, with the aim of using the historic Palazzo Rospigliosi as an exhibition venue and creating a museum open to all, devoted to an original theme linked to local popular tradition. The first public presentation dates from 22 December 2000, and the official opening from 19 March 2005.
The initial core came from pieces of private collectors and from part of the collection of Nella Crestetto Oppo, which included rare dolls. It was followed by educational toys, automata, mechanical animals, toy carts (trabiccoli), spinning tops, projectors and a magic lantern, as well as the collection of puppet theatres of Maria Signorelli. In 2005 most of the Billig-Palmieri collection was acquired, around 800 pieces made between 1900 and 1960, to which the Peretz collection was added.
In the following years, donations, exhibitions with collectors and partnerships with associations expanded the route, which now includes a room devoted to the 1980s and Japanese toys. Today the museum has about 4,000 pieces, of which about 1,000 are displayed in 11 permanent rooms, while three other rooms are reserved for temporary exhibitions. It is managed by the Istituzione di Palazzo Rospigliosi of the municipality of Zagarolo.
Highlights
- About 1,000 toys displayed in 11 permanent rooms
- Billig-Palmieri collection with toys from 1900–1960
- Dolls, automata and mechanical animals
- Puppet theatres from the Signorelli collection
- Japanese toys and a room devoted to the 1980s
- Housed in the 16th-century Palazzo Rospigliosi
- Founded
- 1998
- Operated by
- Comune di Zagarolo – Istituzione di Palazzo Rospigliosi
- Director
- Pietro Vereni
- Visitors per year
- approx. 10,434
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2.50children aged 6 to 12 and people over 65 |
| Children & teens | €2.50free up to age 5 · Free under 6; ages 6 to 12: €2.50. |
| Seniors | €2.50Over 65s. |
| Groups (10+ people) | –Booking is mandatory for groups of more than 10 people. |
| Schools: group of up to 25 students with guided tour | €85Price per group |
| Schools: group of up to 25 students with guided tour and educational activity | €135Price per group |
| First Sunday of the month: museum admission with a guided tour of Palazzo Rospigliosi | €1The guided tour of Palazzo Rospigliosi costs €7.50; with that ticket, admission to the museum costs €1 |
Tickets can also be bought online through the PagoPA portal. Discounts may be available for school groups with fewer than 15 students.
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
The website page refers to an accessibility statement, but that statement concerns the website, not the museum’s premises.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
The museum offers workshops for children by booking (for example from age 3 upwards during the Sagra dell’Uva) and days dedicated to play.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Zagarolo station, on the regional railway line, is less than 45 minutes from Roma Termini station; from the station continue by local buses to Palazzo Rospigliosi.
By car, the website gives directions from the A1 and A24 motorways and from the Grande Raccordo Anulare.
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
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Visits can be booked by telephone or e-mail, and it is advisable to do so in advance. Packages are available for schools with a guided tour and educational activity, and workshops for children can be booked. |
