Museo Laboratorio della Civiltà Contadina

About the museum

The museum was conceived and created by Donato Cascione and is run by the cultural association of the same name, of which Cascione is president. It is seated in Palazzo Barberis, in the Sasso Barisano, in a series of dwellings connected to one another for display purposes; today it extends over around 500 square metres, with the aim of doubling the surface area and adding workshops where young people can learn the old trades.

The route recreates living spaces as faithfully as possible, rather than being a simple display of objects. The first space is a “lamione soppalcato” (a cave-like room with a mezzanine), a room built in the 16th century extending a pre-existing cave, which allowed the family to separate itself from the animals at night. Since 70% of the population of the Sassi was peasant and the rest carried out craft activities, the other rooms show trades and tools such as those of the sieve-maker, the tanner, the basket-maker, the weaver and the shepherd.

The display arose from years of collecting everyday objects and from the advice of elderly people who lived this history. The association offers educational itineraries for schools and an art workshop, and has published collections of testimonies and a museum guide.

Highlights

• Reconstruction of Sassi living spaces, including the “lamione soppalcato”
• Typical house and the priest’s room
• Workshops and tools of sieve-making, tanning, basket-making and weaving
• Grain chest with volume measures
• Art workshop and educational itineraries
• Seat in the Sasso Barisano

Permanent exhibition

• Ambienti e mestieri dei Sassi – Reconstructed dwellings, caves and workshops with everyday objects and tools of traditional trades.

Founded

1996

Operated by

Associazione culturale Museo Laboratorio della Civiltà Contadina (ODV-ETS)

Director

Donato Cascione

Visitors per year

approx. 1,500

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the Sasso Barisano, at Palazzo Barberis, in Via San Giovanni Vecchio 60; the website suggests using the map or the phone number if the on-site directions are insufficient.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

An online shop with publications, guides and a CD-ROM for the virtual visit of the rooms is available on the website.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit