Museo Etnografico della Val Varatella
Civic museum of Toirano in the 16th-century stables of Palazzo D'Aste, with tools, domestic spaces and crafts of the Val Varatella and western Liguria.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum was opened on 27 July 1997 by the Comune of Toirano with the help of volunteers, in the 16th-century stables of the historic palace of the counts D'Aste, in the medieval village; the palace later passed to the marquesses Del Carretto. It is run by the Comune.
The rooms document the craft, agricultural and domestic activities practised in Toirano, in the Val Varatella and western Liguria between the 17th and the 20th century, with particular attention to olive growing and oil production. The period objects include tools for harvesting olives, for vines, wheat and haymaking, and for olive crushing with animal or water power, as well as the tools of the workshops of the carpenter, the cooper, the blacksmith and the farrier.
Domestic spaces are reconstructed, such as a kitchen and a dining room, with furnishings and tableware from Albisola and Savona of the 18th and 19th centuries. Other sections are devoted to clothing, hunting, popular devotion, the monasteries of the Toirano area, the confraternity of the Disciplinati (penitential brotherhood) and the illustrious figures of the town, together with photographic material and a permanent exhibition of the presepe. On the piano nobile (main floor) a section tells the history of the palace, with 16th-century patrician rooms.
Highlights
- Tools for olive growing, vines and wheat
- Reconstructed workshops of the carpenter, cooper and blacksmith
- Reconstructed kitchen and dining room with 18th- and 19th-century furnishings
- Sections on costume, popular devotion and illustrious figures
- Permanent exhibition of the presepe
- 16th-century patrician rooms on the piano nobile (main floor)
Permanent exhibitions
- Sezioni etnografiche e storiche – Agricultural and craft activities, domestic life, costume, popular devotion, monasteries and illustrious figures of Toirano, with a permanent exhibition of the presepe.
- Piano nobile di Palazzo D'Aste – Reconstruction of 16th-century patrician rooms and history of the palace.
- Founded
- 1997
- Operated by
- Comune di Toirano
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2 |
Prices as given in the Musei Italiani listing; the Comune provides information on the museum's hours and prices on its own portal.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
The museum offers educational workshops and a teaching day for schools.
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 | For schools a teaching day and educational workshops are offered. Information and bookings: +39 0182 989968 or museo@comune.toirano.sv.it. |
