Museo della Ceramica di Montelupo

About the museum

The idea of a museum in Montelupo dates back to the 1946 reconstruction plan, but it took shape after 1973, when the discovery of the “pozzo dei lavatoi” (wash-house well), used as a dump for kiln waste, brought to light a large quantity of ceramics. Excavations, begun by volunteers in 1975, led in 1977 to a first exhibition on Montelupo majolica.

In 1983 the municipality assigned the historic Palazzo del Podestà to the museum, and in July of that year the “Museo della ceramica e del territorio” opened; in 1985 an archaeological section was added. In 2007 the archaeological collections were moved to the Santi Quirico complex, while the ceramics museum opened on 24 May 2008 in its present seat, the former Enrico Corradini school.

The museum holds more than 5,500 pieces, of which about 1,000 are on display, documenting the production of majolica from the late 13th to the 18th century. The route is divided into thematic rooms devoted, among other things, to the medieval and Renaissance table, to the excavations, to the workshop, to collecting, to exports, to commissions and to the pharmacy. Among the best-known pieces is the 1509 basin (bacile) from the Rothschild collection, which gave its name to the “Rosso di Montelupo”.

Highlights

• 1509 basin of the “Rosso di Montelupo” (formerly Rothschild collection)
• About 1,000 majolica pieces from the 13th to the 18th century
• Thematic rooms: table, workshop, collecting, exports, pharmacy
• Tactile route with Braille captions and replicas to touch
• Room of animals and flowers for children
• Single ticket covering the Archaeological Museum and the Fornace del Museo

Permanent exhibition

• Collezione di ceramiche di Montelupo (XIII–XVIII secolo) – Chronological and thematic route in eight rooms, with majolica from the 13th to the 18th century, including the “Rosso di Montelupo” basin.

Founded

1983

Operated by

Comune di Montelupo Fiorentino (Fondazione Museo Montelupo)

Visitors per year

approx. 10,090

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month: free admission for everyone.

The full ticket of €6 covers the Museo della Ceramica, the Archaeological Museum and the Fornace del Museo; prices may vary during temporary exhibitions. Free admission also for school groups up to the final year of secondary school, residents of Montelupo, one teacher for every 10 students, museum directors, licensed tour guides and journalists. A promotional rate of €1 applies during local events.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The rooms are declared fully accessible to people with disabilities. For visitors who are blind or partially sighted there are Braille cards and replicas of ceramics to touch (T-vedo project, with the Unione Italiana Ciechi and the University of Florence). The entrance has signage in CAA (augmentative and alternative communication), which is being extended to the visit route.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

The route is family-friendly, with interactive installations to touch and try and the room of animals and flowers for younger children. On the first Sunday of the month, with free admission, family activities take place; birthday parties are also offered.

Getting there & parking

By car: A1 motorway, exit Firenze Scandicci, then the Fi-Pi-Li towards Livorno as far as the Montelupo Fiorentino exit, then SS 67 towards the centre.

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