Museo del Tartufo di San Giovanni d’Asso
The first Italian museum dedicated to truffles, in the basements of the castle of San Giovanni d’Asso, with a sensory route, an odorama and the Orto di Sesto; currently closed for refurbishment.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo del Tartufo di San Giovanni d’Asso, in the Montalcino area between the Crete Senesi and the Val d’Orcia, is regarded as the first Italian museum dedicated to truffles. Created in the early 2000s, it occupies the basements of the municipal castle that overlooked the Asso valley: the route extends over about 250 square metres, under vaults and walls that preserve traces of early 14th-century frescoes.
The first section addresses “the mystery of the truffle”, from legends about its origin to its scientific definition. The second, “the truffle and the senses”, offers experiences of touch, hearing and taste, and the odorama, a carousel dedicated to smell. The last section, “the truffle at table”, explains gathering, storage and use in cooking, with the reconstruction of a rural table and an upper-class table, and an insight into the wild herbs of traditional cuisine.
The Documentation Centre continues outdoors with L’Orto di Sesto, a nature and sensory trail through the habitats of the three truffles of the area: the prized white truffle, the bianchetto (or marzuolo) and the scorzone (summer truffle). The museum is now closed for requalification and refurbishment works; in May 2026 the Comune di Montalcino approved the executive project for its recovery and enhancement.
Highlights
- Basements of the castle with traces of early 14th-century frescoes
- Section “the truffle and the senses” with the odorama, a carousel dedicated to smell
- Reconstruction of a rural table and an upper-class table
- Insight into wild herbs in traditional cooking
- L’Orto di Sesto, an outdoor route on truffle habitats
Permanent exhibition
- Percorso espositivo permanente sul tartufo – Three sections on the mystery of the truffle, the senses and cooking, in the castle basements, with L’Orto di Sesto outdoors; the museum is being refurbished.
- Founded
- 2004
- Operated by
- Comune di Montalcino (gestione: Fondazione Musei Senesi)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 3,270
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Children aged 6 to 12 and groups of at least 15 people |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 5 · Free up to 5 years; €3 for ages 6 to 12. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and one companion. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €3 per personGroups of at least 15 people. |
| Booking fee | €1 |
Prices in force before the closure for works. Free admission also for accredited journalists, licensed guides and residents of the Comune di Montalcino.
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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