MuTeCo – Museo del Tessuto e del Costume
Museum in Spoleto, on the piano nobile of Palazzo Rosari-Spada, with six centuries of the history of costume and textiles, from the 14th to the 20th century.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum originated from the donation to the Comune di Spoleto by Lucia Portoghesi of her personal collection of textiles, later enlarged by other collectors. It holds artefacts from the 14th to the 20th century from all Italian regions and from various foreign countries, and makes it possible to follow the evolution of costume and of the decorative techniques of fashion. Since 2010 it has led the regional project “Musei che hanno stoffa” (Museums That Have Fabric), devoted to the textile collections of the museums of Umbria.
It is located on the piano nobile of Palazzo Rosari-Spada, in the historic centre, a building of the 17th and 18th centuries that passed from the Rosari to the Spada marquises and then to the Marignoli. The spacious rooms, with coffered ceilings and mural friezes, previously housed the municipal picture gallery.
The collection is organised by theme in five rooms: sacred vestments, costume, accessories, figured fabrics and local fabrics. Among the best-known pieces are a 15th-century velvet with a “pomegranate” (a melagrana) pattern, the Empire-style dress that belonged to Alexandrine Bonaparte, and antique Perugian tablecloths, which appear in paintings by great masters.
Highlights
- 15th-century velvet with a “pomegranate” pattern
- Empire-style dress of Alexandrine Bonaparte
- Antique Perugian tablecloths
- Room of sacred vestments with chasubles from various periods
- Accessories room: caps, shoes and bags
Permanent exhibition
- Collezione tessile e del costume – Five thematic rooms with sacred vestments, dress, accessories, figured fabrics and local textiles from the 14th to the 20th century.
- Operated by
- Comune di Spoleto
- Visitors per year
- approx. 2,981
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2visitors aged 18 to 25 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for children and young people under 18. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities, extended to one companion. |
| Students & apprentices | freeFree for students of the Academies of Fine Arts and of disciplines linked to art and performance. |
| Spoleto Card, 7 days | €12Reduced €8 (ages 18–25); valid for seven cultural sites on the circuit, including this museum. |
| Spoleto Card, annual | €18Reduced €14 (ages 18–25). |
Free admission also for ICOM members, members of the Associazione Amici di Palazzo Collicola, journalists and tourist guides.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- 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 Spoleto museums portal states that the museum is not accessible to people with mobility impairments.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Paid parking
Paid parking at the Posterna, with a free mechanical walkway (exit Teatro Nuovo).
Amenities & 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 · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (IT, EN, ES, FR, DE) |
| Good to know | The guided visit “La storia del costume attraverso i secoli” (The History of Costume Through the Centuries; about one hour) is available. |
