Museo laboratorio della preistoria

About the museum

The Museo Laboratorio della Preistoria in Vaie, at the foot of the Sacra di San Michele and near the Via Francigena, was established in 2001 by the municipal administration together with the Centro di Archeologia Sperimentale Torino, in agreement with the Piedmont archaeological heritage authority (Soprintendenza) and with the support of the Region, the Province, the mountain community and banking foundations. The museum brings the public closer to daily life in prehistory and protohistory through experimental reconstructions and casts of the most significant finds from the Susa Valley.

The story is linked to the Eneolithic site of Vayes, a rock shelter. At the end of the 19th century, quarry workers found green stone axes there, and between 1900 and 1901 investigations led by Antonio Taramelli began, with pottery and tools that went to the Museo di Antichità di Torino. New research was carried out in 1938–39, and the heritage authority has since placed the site between the final Neolithic and the full Copper Age.

The display includes the interior of a Neolithic hut, a diorama of a Bronze Age workshop and a tactile collection. The museum organises workshops and demonstrations, the travelling project “Museo in valigia”, periodic events and archaeological, natural and historical routes in the countryside and in the historic centre of Vaie. These include a guided route in the woods with a reconstructed hut and a rock shelter.

Highlights

• Interior of a reconstructed Neolithic hut
• Diorama of a Bronze Age workshop
• Eneolithic site of Vayes and casts of finds from the Susa Valley
• Tactile collection and AAC cards
• Guided woodland route with a rock shelter

Permanent exhibition

• Museo e percorso archeologico di Vaie – Experimental reconstructions, a Neolithic hut, a Bronze Age diorama and a tactile collection on the prehistory of the Susa Valley.

Founded

2001

Operated by

Comune di Vaie

Visitors per year

approx. 2,400

Admission & discounts

€3 for the museum alone. Free admission for the museum alone follows the museum's rules; free entry for holders of the Musei Torino Piemonte pass. The ticket for the “regalo” (gift) route is bought through the Mediares Didattica website.

Accessibility

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

The museum is accessible to people with disabilities, but the woodland route is not accessible to people with mobility impairments. A tactile collection and AAC cards (augmentative and alternative communication) are available. Dedicated activities for people with disabilities are offered by reservation.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Workshops and demonstrations of experimental archaeology, family visits on designated days and a tactile collection.

Getting there & parking

The museum is about 35 km from Turin along the SS 25 del Moncenisio. By car from the A32 Frejus motorway: Avigliana Ovest exit (from Turin) or Chianocco (from Bardonecchia).

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