Museo del Rugby «Fango e Sudore»
The largest rugby museum in Italy, in Artena: over 10,000 memorabilia, including more than 2,000 historic shirts, in a wing of Palazzo Borghese.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo del Rugby “Fango e Sudore” did not originate from an institutional project but from a private collection, that of Corrado Mattoccia, originally kept in a garage of which a period mural still remains. The transfer to public heritage is linked to the donation of a blue shirt of the Italian national team, which because of its historic and symbolic value could not stay in a domestic setting. The collection has been kept and presented since 2008.
Today the museum is based in Artena, about thirty kilometres from Rome, in a wing of Palazzo Borghese, in the pedestrian historic centre of Montefortino: six hundred square metres divided into two large halls, from which several rooms branch off with views over the Roman countryside. The museum is recognised by the Federazione Italiana Rugby as a custodian of the memory of the oval ball in Italy.
The collection exceeds 10,000 authentic memorabilia and includes more than 2,000 playing shirts, caps, balls, trophies, photographs, documents and rare books that trace eighty years of Italian and international rugby history. The mission of the museum is to use this memory as an educational tool, passing on to new generations the values of support, sacrifice, respect and loyalty.
Highlights
- Over 10,000 memorabilia and more than 2,000 historic shirts
- Blue national team shirt at the origin of the collection
- Paper archive with documents and rare books on the origins of rugby
- Based in a wing of Palazzo Borghese, in the pedestrian village of Artena
- Shirt of Bryan Habana donated to the museum
Permanent exhibition
- La collezione del Museo del Rugby – Historic shirts, caps, trophies, balls, photographs and a paper archive in themed areas, covering eighty years of rugby history.
- Founded
- 2008
- Operated by
- Museo del Rugby «Fango e Sudore» (riconosciuto dalla F.I.R.)
- Director
- Corrado Mattoccia (fondatore e presidente)
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
The visit is always free of charge.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The historic centre of Artena (Montefortino) is pedestrian-only: you go up on foot or on mule-back.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
Bespoke events for companies: conferences, meetings and presentations, team building with rugby athletes.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided visits tailored to sports clubs, schools of all levels and corporate groups, with the possibility of full days and matches on the rugby pitch in Artena. |
