Museo della Ceramica di Savona

About the museum

The museum is housed in the Palazzo del Monte di Pietà, seat of the ancient Monte di Pietà of Savona, one of the first in Italy, founded in 1479 at the wish of the Savonese pope Sixtus IV (Francesco Della Rovere). The building, of medieval origin, arose from the joining of a series of terraced houses typical of Ligurian towns. Its most important space is the Sala degli Ufficiali del Monte (Hall of the Monte Officers), with a cycle of frescoes by Lorenzo Fasolo devoted to the Annunciation, the Pietà and the Madonna of Mercy.

The palace became a museum in 2014 after a restoration that combined the historic structures with modern steel and glass elements, with attention to accessibility. The collections are the result of the joint work of the Comune of Savona and the Fondazione De Mari CR Savona, which acquired part of them, and since 2017 the museum has been run by the Fondazione Museo della Ceramica di Savona.

The route, spread over several levels, tells the story of more than five centuries of ceramics: from 16th-century majolica and the furnishings of old pharmacies, such as the apothecary set of the Ospedale San Paolo and the Cavanna pharmacy in Genoa, to Baroque istoriato ceramics, the 18th-century production of Giacomo Boselli, and the 20th-century avant-gardes that were active in Savona and the Albisole, with works by Asger Jorn, Wifredo Lam, Giuseppe Capogrossi and sculptures by Arturo Martini, and on to contemporary design and art. On the first floor a workshop equipped with a high-temperature kiln hosts activities for schools, families and adults.

Highlights

• Sala degli Ufficiali del Monte with frescoes by Lorenzo Fasolo
• Baroque rooms with the fresco by Bartolomeo Guidobono and 17th-century majolica
• Apothecary set of the Ospedale San Paolo and jars of the Cavanna pharmacy
• Works by Asger Jorn, Wifredo Lam, Capogrossi and Arturo Martini
• Prototypes from the Biennali della Ceramica and contemporary design
• Workshop with high-temperature kiln

Permanent exhibition

• Collezioni permanenti – More than a thousand works spanning five centuries of ceramics: majolica, furnishings of old pharmacies, Baroque istoriato ceramics, 18th- and 19th-century wares, 20th-century avant-gardes and contemporary design.

Founded

2014

Operated by

Fondazione Museo della Ceramica di Savona ETS

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for tourist guides and teachers visiting with a class.

Accessibility

• 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

The museum is accessible in all areas to visitors using traditional and electric wheelchairs; the lift from street level serves all floors. Accessible toilets for people with disabilities are located along the route, on the second floor.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The educational services offer workshops and readings with illustrated picture books, also for children aged 0 to 3; on the first floor a space with a high-temperature kiln allows experiments with engraving, screen printing and photoceramics.

Getting there & parking

By car the museum can be reached in about 10 minutes from the Savona motorway exit; the nearest airport is Genoa Cristoforo Colombo.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

On the ground floor there is a restaurant, which is also an exhibition space of the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit