Museo delle Attività Cartarie e della Stampa
Museum in the Rocca Abbaziale in Subiaco on movable-type printing and paper production, with the noble apartments.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The MACS opened in 2011 in the Rocca Abbaziale in Subiaco, a fortress of medieval foundation (11th century) linked to the abbey and later to the Borgia family: Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia, children of Rodrigo Borgia, the future Pope Alexander VI, were born here. The Rocca has been open to the public on a continuous basis since 2011. In 2022 the Abbey of Subiaco donated it to the town.
The Stampa section recalls that between 1464 and 1465 four books were printed with movable type in Subiaco, the first printed with this technique in Italy, with information panels and reproductions of period equipment. The Carta section tells the story of the paper mill established in 1587 by Pope Sixtus V, which shaped the economic and social life of the area for four centuries, with panels, reproductions and elements of industrial archaeology.
The ticket also covers the noble apartments of the Rocca and the other permanent displays: panels on Lucrezia Borgia, created in 2020, and the works of the painter Enzo Roberti, donated to the Comune in 2019 by the artist’s family.
Highlights
- Stampa section on the first books printed with movable type in Italy, in Subiaco (1464–1465)
- Carta section with elements of industrial archaeology
- Frescoed noble apartments
- Panels on Lucrezia Borgia, born in Subiaco in 1480
- Works by the painter Enzo Roberti
Permanent exhibitions
- MACS – Museo delle Attività Cartarie e della Stampa – Stampa section on the first books printed with movable type in Italy and Carta section on the Subiaco paper mill, with panels, reproductions and elements of industrial archaeology.
- I mille volti della Duchessa da Subiaco a Ferrara – Panels with documents, writings and images on the life of Lucrezia Borgia, born in Subiaco in 1480.
- Opere di Enzo Roberti – Permanent display of works by the Subiaco painter Enzo Roberti in the rooms of the Macchi apartment.
- Founded
- 2011
- Operated by
- Comune di Subiaco
- Visitors per year
- approx. 8,898
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5People under 25 or over 65, groups of at least 10 people, school groups, and residents of the municipality of Subiaco. |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 5 · Free admission for children under 6. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and their companions. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €5 per personReduced rate for groups of at least 10 people. |
The ticket gives access to the noble apartments and the permanent displays. Free admission also for guides and tourist escorts.
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
Free parking
A free internal car and motorbike park is available. Visitors are asked not to park along the ramp.
The roads in the historic centre do not allow tourist coaches of 9 metres or more.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
The ticket office sells local specialities, books and souvenirs.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Ticket office staff provide information on the noble apartments, on a voluntary-donation basis and on request. Private tours of the Rocca and the historic centre are organised by reservation by the association Ethea (+39 342 193 8078, info@ethea.org). |
