Museobottega della Tarsialignea

About the museum

The Museobottega della Tarsialignea, known by the acronym MUTA, was founded in 1999 in the historic centre of Sorrento and is housed in the Palazzo Pomarici Santomasi. The name reflects the institution's dual purpose: to preserve the memory of Sorrento marquetry (intarsio ligneo) and to foster its evolution through a workshop that is still active, where tradition meets contemporary design. The museum belongs to the Fondazione Alessandro e Alma Fiorentino.

The palace was built in the 18th century by a Sorrento patrician family and later passed to Baron Achille Pomarici Santomasi. In the 20th century it fell into decay and was at risk of demolition, until a restoration saved it and brought to light neoclassical frescoes, ceilings in hand-painted paper and a spiral staircase in tuff.

The route is spread over several floors: on the basement level the workshop and the modern collection; on the ground floor the shop; on the first floor the historical account, with the landscape of Sorrento, the travellers of the Grand Tour, the techniques and evolution of marquetry from the Quattrocento to the 19th century, and citrus cultivation; on the second floor the Scuola d'Arte and furniture design; and on the third floor the room of the great 19th-century marquetry masters.

Highlights

• Historic collection of Sorrento marquetry furniture and works
• Workshop and laboratory active on the basement level
• 18th-century palace with neoclassical frescoes and tuff spiral staircase
• Room of the great 19th-century marquetry masters
• Practical marquetry workshops for families and groups

Permanent exhibitions

• Collezione antica – Historic Sorrento marquetry works and furniture, from the Quattrocento to the 19th century, with views of Sorrento and the great marquetry masters.
• Collezione moderna e bottega – Marquetry objects and furniture with contemporary decorative themes, next to the workshop where the tradition is still practised.

Founded

1999

Operated by

Fondazione Alessandro e Alma Fiorentino

Visitors per year

approx. 8,500

Admission & discounts

Reduced rates require showing a document proving eligibility at the ticket office. Rates for families and partner organisations are also available.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Practical marquetry workshop of 90–120 minutes, with a demonstration by a craftsman and a small piece to take home, suitable for families with children aged 7 and up.

Getting there & parking

The website indicates an area with services and parking.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop on the ground floor with pieces made in the in-house workshop and in local craft workshops, and with the museum's publications.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit