Museo della Civiltà Contadina «Michele Russo»

About the museum

The museum was founded in 1995 on the initiative of Carlo Russo, a former railway worker with a passion for history and rural traditions. For about thirty years Russo had toured the Vesuvian countryside and the province of Naples, collecting objects and testimonies of the rural world that predated farm mechanisation, together with the oral accounts of how they were used.

After a long period without a permanent home, the collection found a place in the old cellars and garden of the Santa Maria del Pozzo monumental complex (16th century), cleaned up and renovated by Russo himself with the help of young volunteers. After his death in 2003, the work was carried on by his children.

The museum is run by a non-profit cultural association and is recognised by the Region of Campania as a museum of regional interest. It has about 500 m² of indoor space and 700 m² of outdoor space.

Highlights

• Farming activities across twenty themed sections
• Room of the vine and wine
• Ethnomusicology section with tammurriata instruments
• Stables with working and farmyard animals
• Teaching garden

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso del museo contadino – Twenty sections on farming activities, a wine room, rooms on crafts and food production, an ethnomusicology section, stables and a teaching garden.

Founded

1995

Operated by

Associazione di Promozione Sociale d’Arte Contadina «Michele Russo»

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

According to the museum's listing, the building has no architectural barriers and has toilets for people with disabilities.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Hands-on workshops with materials, crafts and blacksmithing. The museum is on the regional register of educational farms and takes up to 130 pupils for teaching sessions.

Getting there & parking

Parking for cars and tour coaches. The museum is in an area adjoining the Vesuvius National Park (Parco nazionale del Vesuvio).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Souvenirs and gifts are available at the entrance; parking for cars and coaches.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 250 guests.

The indoor and outdoor spaces can host exhibitions, screenings, debates and presentations; maximum capacity for other events is 250 people.

Plan your visit