Museum of the City and Territory

Monsummano Terme’s Museum of the City and Territory is located in the ‘Osteria dei Pellegrini’, a building constructed at the beginning of the 17th century, thanks to a project by the architect Gherardo Mechini. It was originally designed to host the faithfuls who gathered at the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Fontenuova. In the 1800s, it was purchased by the Municipality and became offices and prisons. The building was restored in 1995 and it’s currently used for cultural activities.

The exhibition showcases the history of Monsummano Terme and the Valdinievole, showing the landscape’s transformation after reclamation of the Fucecchio Swamp. It also spotlights local devotion to the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Fontenuova, the development of the thermal bath industry and other modern industrial activities.

The museum was recognized during the European Museum Forum where it received honorable mention as part of the EMYA prize (European Museum of the Year Award) in 2001. Visitors will particularly enjoy viewing objects from the treasure of the Madonna della Fontenuova’s Sanctuary such as the crown donated in 1608 by the Grand Dukes of Tuscany. Candelabras from the beginning of the 1600s are also worthy of note as is the ivory cross attributed to Giambologna.

 

Accessibility information: museoterritorio.it