Signed in as
Museum in the former paper mill of Maina Inferiore that tells the centuries-old history of papermaking in the Valle delle Cartiere on Lake Garda.
From September 5, 2026
Solo exhibition by Alice Padovani with works on paper, installations and videos that combine nature, classification and the memory of matter. The route closes with a project created in the museum during an artist residency, based on historical watermarks.
The museum is located at Maina Inferiore, in the heart of the Valle delle Cartiere (paper mill valley) of Toscolano Maderno, where paper has been made for centuries. The oldest nucleus of the complex dates from the 15th–16th centuries, and the paper mill continued to operate until 1962.
Between 2000 and 2007 the buildings were restored, with the aim of giving the valley a centre dedicated to special handmade papers and watermarked papers. Since 2007 they have housed the museum, run by the Fondazione Valle delle Cartiere, founded by the Comune di Toscolano Maderno, Burgo Group and the Associazione Lavoratori Anziani della Cartiera.
The route follows a chronological order, from the origins to the 20th century. In the 16th-century rooms the stages of the ancient process are reconstructed, with the stone vats in which rags were macerated, the pounding hammers (magli) and waterwheels, and the drying racks on the upper floors. An archaeological section presents the finds from the excavations carried out in the valley, while the Sala degli stampatori Paganini holds volumes printed in Toscolano in the first half of the 16th century. Panels and interactive stations accompany the visit, and the testimonies of former employees helped reconstruct the production processes.
| Adults | €8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6children aged 6 to 18, over-65s, groups of at least 20 people, journalists, teachers and holders of partner agreements |
| Children & teens | –Free admission for children up to 6 years. |
| Seniors | €6Reduced rate for over-65s. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and their companions. |
| Groups (20+ people) | €6 per personReduced rate for groups of at least 20 people; visits for groups and schools by reservation. |
| Audio guide activation (app “Museo della Carta”) | €2The app can be downloaded free of charge, and the content is activated at the ticket office. |
| Ticket for residents of Toscolano Maderno | €3 |
Free admission also for holders of the Abbonamento Musei Lombardia. The guided visit of the historical section is included in the ticket; booking is recommended.
The museum route is fully accessible to people with mobility disabilities. In rain, passage through the Valle delle Cartiere beyond Maina Inferiore may be closed.
Great for kids & families
Papermaking and creative paper-recycling workshops and family workshops, for example for children from the age of 5. Workshops require booking.
The museum is located at Maina Inferiore, at the entrance to the Valle delle Cartiere. In case of rain, the passage of pedestrians and vehicles in the valley beyond Maina Inferiore may be prohibited.
Get directionsThe bar is open every day 10:00–18:00 for a break after the visit. The bookshop sells handmade paper, gifts and publications. Wi-Fi is available only in the conference room.
The exhibition room, the conference room (with video projector and sound system) and the garden for receptions can be rented. A baby grand piano is available for events.
Inquiries & details| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The guided visit is included in the ticket, and a calendar can be consulted online; visiting independently with panels and interactive stations is also possible. For schools and groups, booking is by telephone at +39 338 933 6451 or by e-mail to didattica@lamelagrana.it; papermaking workshops are offered. |
