Museo delle arti in ghisa nella Maremma
Industrial archaeology museum in the Forno San Ferdinando in Follonica, on the history of iron smelting and of the artistic cast-iron foundries.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The MAGMA, Museo delle Arti in Ghisa nella Maremma, is housed in the Forno San Ferdinando, the oldest building in the town, a modern blast furnace for producing cast iron in the 19th century in the original core of Follonica, the so-called “città fabbrica” (factory town). The museum tells the technological, artistic and human history of the ironworks during its period of greatest production.
The route is spread over three floors. The basement is devoted to production, with the technological system used to smelt cast iron; the first floor to art, with the school of ornamental design founded at the wish of Grand Duke Leopold II, the wooden models and the catalogue of castings, up to works such as the church of San Leopoldo and the monumental gate of the Fonderie; the second floor to history and to the reasons that made this land an ironworks centre for millennia.
Ancient walls and objects sit alongside multimedia installations, such as the large luminous sculpture that evokes the furnace and the projections on the walls. The museum also hosts MADI – Magazzino delle Idee, runs educational workshops for schools and families and manages a documentation centre.
Highlights
- Forno San Ferdinando, the oldest building in the factory town
- Collection of wooden models for casting iron
- Multimedia installation on the blast furnace
- Route over three floors: production, art and history
- Educational workshops and documentation centre
Permanent exhibition
- Allestimento permanente del MAGMA – Three floors devoted to iron production, the art of the Follonica foundries and the history of ironworking in the Maremma.
- Founded
- 1998
- Director
- Claudia Mori
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €4groups of more than 15 people (schools excluded) and holders of agreements (Auser, members of Unicoop Tirreno, MAGMAcard, FolloniCard, pArcheoCARD) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 11 · Free admission for children under 12. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and one companion. |
| Groups (16+ people) | €4 per personGroups of more than 15 people, schools excluded. |
| Schools: visit only or workshop only | €4 |
| Schools: guided visit with workshop | €7 |
Free admission also for teachers with their classes, guides with groups, ICOM members and holders of the EDUMUSEI CARD.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 11 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
The museum organises workshops for children, including with the Biblioteca della Ghisa, and summer and autumn workshops.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Stazione di Follonica · 10-min walk
From Follonica station the museum is about a 10-minute walk away, via Via Salvatore Golino, Via Bicocchi, Via Roma and Via Amorotti.
By car
Parking available
The nearest public car park is in Via Golino; it is not recommended at peak times.
By car, from the Follonica Nord exit of the SS1/E80, along the SS 152 Aurelia Vecchia as far as Via Leopardi, then left to the end and left into Via Roma.
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 |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided visits and educational workshops for schools and groups; a virtual video tour is available on the website. Information and bookings by e-mail or telephone (including WhatsApp). |
