Museo del pomodoro
Museum of the history of the tomato and its processing industry in the old stable of the Corte di Giarola, in the Parco del Taro near Collecchio.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum is part of the circuit of the Food Museums of the province of Parma and is housed in the Corte di Giarola, on the right bank of the river Taro. From the mid-11th century the locality belonged to the women's monastery of San Paolo, which organised a self-sufficient rural court with church, stables, dwellings, mill and dairy, protected by walls.
The mill was powered by the Naviglio Taro canal. In 1907 a preserves factory was built against the court; from 1924 it was run by Giovanni Jenni with his partner Azzali until the early 1960s, with a battery of six evaporating pans to concentrate tomato juice.
The museum, housed in the large stable with the long portico in front, tells the story of the tomato and its industrial processing in the Parma area. Opened in 2010, it offers free audio guides accessible by QR code in Italian and English, and a route for children.
Highlights
- Ancient rural court of Giarola in the Parco del Taro
- Large stable with the long portico
- Historic machinery for processing tomatoes
- Free audio guides via QR code, including for children
- Court restaurant with typical products of Parma
Permanent exhibition
- Percorso espositivo del Museo del Pomodoro – Route devoted to the history of the tomato and its industrial processing in the large stable of the Corte di Giarola.
- Founded
- 2010
- Operated by
- Musei del Cibo della Provincia di Parma
- Visitors per year
- approx. 2,902
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4groups (minimum 15 people), people over 65 and agreements |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 5 · Free admission under 6; individual students aged 6 to 18 pay €3. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and one companion. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €4 per person |
| Families | €10Two adults and all children. |
| Musei del Cibo Card (valid for all museums on the circuit) | €15 |
Free admission also for teachers, group leaders, journalists and classes of the Comune di Collecchio (by reservation). Reduced admission for classes from nursery to upper secondary school and for students of the University of Parma with a Student Card.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €10 · Two adults and all children. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Children's audio guide (Kids route) and family ticket at €10; educational routes for schools.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Restaurant
Court restaurant with menus of typical Parma products paired with wines of the Colli di Parma (booking required). Small dogs admitted on a leash; dog-sitting service bookable 24 hours in advance.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (IT, EN, DE, FR, ES) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Free audio guides via QR code in Italian and English, and with a children's route; versions in German, French and Spanish are also available on the website. Guided tours by reservation only and with payment in advance: groups of fewer than 12 people €25 plus the ticket, groups of 12 to 25 people €2 per head plus the ticket. Booking compulsory for groups and schools. Travelbus shuttle and electric car hire available to reach the court. |
