Museo La Fornace Galli

About the museum

The Fornace Galli is perhaps the most important and best-preserved example of pre-industrial archaeology in Val Sanagra. Its origins date back to the 17th century, when village life revolved around the mills and the river’s current was the main source of energy; the property then belonged to the Guaita family.

In the 19th century it passed to various families, including the Camozzi, Giacomo Guaita (1846) and Francesco Selva (1858). In 1875 it was taken over by the Galli family, from Val Colla in Switzerland, which gives it its present name. It became an important production centre: many buildings in the area and in more distant places were built with bricks made in the valley. Activity ceased a few years after the end of the Second World War, due to competition from new industries, in particular from the Brianza.

After careful restoration the kiln has come back to life as a museum and teaching space: the visit shows how a late 19th-century brick factory was organised, where clay was transformed by fire and by the work of the kiln workers (fornaciai). It is part of the system of the Museo and Ecomuseo della Val Sanagra.

Highlights

• Brick factory of the late 19th century, restored
• Machine room and historic production buildings
• Reconstructed Casa dei Fornaciai (kiln workers’ house)
• Guided tours and educational activities
• Joint ticket with the Museo della Val Sanagra

Operated by

Comune di Grandola ed Uniti, gestita dall'associazione Storia Natura e Vita

Admission & discounts

Prices, valid from 1 June 2026, apply to the museum and the Fornace Galli. Admission is also free for teachers and group escorts, qualified tour guides, accredited journalists, members of the Storia Natura e Vita association and holders of the Lombardy regional museum card and the ICOM card.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• 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

The Fornace is accessible to people with reduced mobility outside and in the main building on the ground floor. The building with the machine room, the first floor of the main building (and therefore the toilets) and the building with the reconstructed Casa dei Fornaciai are not accessible.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The Fornace Galli is located in the locality of Mulino della Valle, a few minutes from the Museo della Val Sanagra.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The exclusive spaces of the Fornace Galli can be booked for events: the regulations can be downloaded from the website, and the request is sent using the dedicated form and by e-mail.

Plan your visit