Museo della Civiltà Contadina di Torrepaduli
Ethnographic museum on the ground floor of the 18th-century Palazzo Pasanisi in Torrepaduli, with ten rooms on peasant life in the Salento.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo della Civiltà Contadina, founded in 2002, is housed on the ground floor of the 18th-century Palazzo Pasanisi in Torrepaduli, a hamlet of Ruffano. It was created with the aim of establishing a cultural centre in the village for both residents and visitors, and it is run by the Associazione Anziani Ettore Pasanisi.
The museum has ten rooms: some retain their original use, while others have been renovated to house workshops. The route takes visitors through peasant life in the Salento from the late 19th century to a few decades ago, with tools, utensils, toys and furniture that recreate the atmosphere of everyday family life of the time, as well as its customs, uses and farming traditions.
As well as preserving and promoting its ethno-anthropological heritage, the museum has an educational role with workshops, and it hosts cultural events and shows. Every year a living nativity (presepe vivente) takes place in the palazzo. The association also runs a small museum of sacred art, open by reservation, in the church of the Madonna delle Grazie (1634).
Highlights
- Ten rooms in the 18th-century Palazzo Pasanisi
- Tools, utensils and toys of Salentine peasant life
- Route from the late 19th century to a few decades ago
- Educational workshops on peasant life
- Annual living nativity (presepe vivente) in the palazzo
Permanent exhibition
- Civiltà contadina salentina – Ten rooms with objects, utensils and furniture of peasant life from the late 19th century to recent decades.
- Founded
- 2002
- Operated by
- Associazione Anziani Ettore Pasanisi
- Visitors per year
- approx. 1,000
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €1 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 5 · Free admission for children under 6. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free for people with disabilities accompanied by a family member or a social-health care companion. |
| Groups (5+ people) | €2 per personTicket of €2 with a guide, for groups of at least 5 people. |
Free admission also for guides and tourist interpreters accompanying groups.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car from Lecce on the SS 275, or from Santa Maria di Leuca on the SS 274; in both cases take the Ruffano-Torrepaduli exit.
Get directionsAmenities & 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 |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided visits are available for groups of at least 5 people. The museum offers workshops; the small sacred art museum in the church of the Madonna delle Grazie can be visited by reservation. |
