Museo delle Campane - Antica Fonderia Picasso
Museum in the former Picasso foundry in Avegno: tools and techniques from over four centuries of bell production.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo delle Campane is housed in the old foundry of the Picasso family in Avegno, a business that linked the name of the village to bell production for more than four centuries, from 1594 onwards. Work began in the 16th century; towards the end of the 19th century the foundry settled permanently on the valley floor, where it remained active until 2005.
The building was restored with funds from the regional programme for enhancing the natural and cultural resources of Liguria (POR FESR 2007–2013) and was entrusted by the family to the municipality of Avegno. The museum opened on 8 September 2012.
The display shows the tools and techniques of casting: the moulds were shaped on horizontal lathes, and the bells were cast in an old wood-fired furnace; making one took about a month. Picasso bells were sold in Italy and abroad, including in Brazil, Argentina and Tanzania.
Highlights
- Bell foundry active from 1594 to 2005
- Original tools and wood-fired furnace
- Moulding techniques on horizontal lathes
- Picasso bells sold also in Brazil, Argentina and Tanzania
Permanent exhibition
- Percorso sulla fusione delle campane – Tools, moulds and techniques used by the Picasso family in bell production, in the rooms of the historic foundry.
- Founded
- 2012
- Operated by
- Comune di Avegno
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- 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 municipality, the building has architectural barriers.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & 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
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Visits for schools and groups by appointment, to be arranged with the municipality’s technical office. |
