Museo storico della campana Giovanni Paolo II

About the museum

The museum adjoins the Fonderia Marinelli, active in Agnone since the Middle Ages and regarded as the oldest bell foundry in Italy and among the oldest in the world. The museum is named after John Paul II, who visited the foundry on 19 March 1995, and documents the origins, history and traditions of the art of bell-casting.

The collection brings together one of the largest collections of sacred bronzes, with the precious “Campana dell’anno mille” (Millennium Bell), alongside studies, manuscripts, ancient documents and rare texts, such as the 1664 Dutch edition of De tintinnabulis. Ample space is devoted to the great events of the 20th century, commented on through photographs and commemorative bells cast by the Marinelli, and to the family’s ties with the popes of the century, from the papal warrant (Brevetto Pontificio) granted by Pius XI to John XXIII and John Paul II.

The museum also includes a hall for exhibitions and conferences, a library, an archive, a video library and a screening space. The visit, by guide only, lasts about an hour and includes a film on the stages of bell-making, the historical route and access to the foundry, where the sound of the bells can be heard.

Highlights

• “Campana dell’anno mille” (Millennium Bell)
• Visit to the foundry still in operation
• 1664 Dutch edition of De tintinnabulis
• Commemorative bells for the great events of the 20th century
• Tactile route with 22 Braille stations and QR codes

Permanent exhibitions

• Museo storico della campana – The collection of sacred bronzes with the Millennium Bell, documents and rare books on the art of bell-casting.
• Fonderia Marinelli – Visit to the places of production and listening to the sounds of the bells at the end of the route.

Operated by

Pontificia Fonderia Marinelli

Visitors per year

approx. 25,000

Admission & discounts

The standard ticket costs €9; booking is essential.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The entrance has a ramp and doors suitable for wheelchairs; a lift connects the exhibition floors. The tactile route includes 22 stations with bells and models to touch, with Braille labels and QR codes; the introductory videos are translated into LIS (Italian Sign Language). Seats are available along the route and guide dogs are admitted.

Kids & families

• Hands-on stations

Free admission for pre-school children and a reduced price up to age 18. The route includes stations to touch.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on a side street off the main street (corso principale) of Agnone.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

There is a shop at the entrance and an online shop.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit