Museo dell’agricoltura e del mondo rurale

About the museum

The museum documents the history of farm and craft work in the middle Reggio plain. It began in 1968 as a temporary exhibition, the fruit of research by a group of enthusiasts led by Enzo Carretti, who gathered material, oral and documentary evidence of local rural life. The exhibition, set up on the upper floor of the Rocca Estense, remained open until 1983, when the fortress was closed for restoration.

The museum reopened on 21 May 1994 under its current name, with a layout designed by the anthropologist and museologist Mario Turci. Today it occupies the ground floor and basement of the Rocca, about 900 m², organised into twelve sections.

The route covers the land, agricultural production, the working of hemp, truciolo and sorghum, food processing and the rural house. The collections include a section on the Bertani family, agricultural landowners in the early 20th century, a collection of tower clocks from the collection of Otello Gallingani and paintings by Anselmo Govi and Giannino Tamagnini showing rural scenes. The holdings also include the Collezione Coppelli and the Museo della sostenibilità.

Highlights

• Twelve sections in the Rocca Estense
• Working of hemp, truciolo and sorghum
• Rural house and food processing
• Tower clocks from the Gallingani collection
• Paintings by Anselmo Govi and Giannino Tamagnini

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso del museo – Twelve sections on the land, agricultural production, hemp, truciolo, sorghum, food processing and the rural house.

Founded

1968

Operated by

Comune di San Martino in Rio

Visitors per year

approx. 3,283

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission every Saturday morning (9:00–12:30).

Free admission also for residents, for those who donate material to the museum and for ICOM members. Free guided tours for under-12s, school classes and people with disabilities accompanied by a companion.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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

Rooms 1–5 on the ground floor and section 12 are accessible for people with reduced mobility. The basement is reached by an internal staircase of 17 steps with a handrail; for section 7 you can ask staff for direct access from the car park on Via San Rocco. Sections 8, 9 and 10 have architectural barriers, but their content can be viewed on the museum's website and app. The approach to the Rocca is over gravel paths, and the lift serves the piano nobile (main floor). The toilets in the Corte d'Onore are accessible and have a changing table; benches are available and, on request, chairs.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities

The museum offers educational activities and events for families and has a changing table in the ground-floor toilets.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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