National Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions, Rome
National Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions (Museo Nazionale delle Arti e Tradizioni Popolari) is an ethnographic museum in Rome that preserves information about the traditions, culture and way of life of the Italian people. The museum is located within the walls of the Palace of Folk Traditions. The official opening took place in 1956, but its history begins back in the early 20th century.
The National Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions was founded thanks to the rich collection of the Italian ethnographer Lamberto Loria. In 1911, the first exhibition was held, timed to the 50th anniversary of the unity of Italy. In 1913, after the death of the researcher, the exhibition changed the storage location several times and only in 1956 it settled in the walls of the modern museum.
Exhibits of the museum
The exposition of the museum includes more than hundreds of thousands of exhibits and documents that fully reveal the history of the traditions of Italy. Most of the items belong to the period of the 18th century till the beginning of the 20th century.
The collection is divided into several thematic exhibitions:
- Land resources – the first agricultural transport (carts and sledges), tools (plows, scythes and shovels) were assembled here, as well as the methods of harvesting and fishing.
- Section of sheep breeding – shepherd's clothing, methods of breeding, milking of sheep and the like.
- Hunting – traps, weapons, cages, models of sailing and plastic boats.
- Housing and everyday life of the population – a unique collection of household items, interior, the reconstruction of Italian housing and many other interesting exhibits – furniture, beds, cabinets, chests, bread trough, fireplace accessories, containers for storage and cooking.
- Rituals and holidays –includes the exhibits, narrating about customs and national holidays of Italy. There are a lot of documents, photos and other interesting materials – carnival masks, dolls for fasting, exhibits related to baptism, ceramics, paintings and many other materials.
- A collection of jewelry – earrings, necklaces, rings.
The collection dedicated to the theater is particularly noteworthy – Sicilian puppets, puppets of the Roman theatre, masks, musical instruments and many other unique exhibits.
How to get there
The National Museum of Popular Arts and Traditions in Rome is located in the southern part of the city, on Marconi Street. You can get here by public transport, which follows the route:
- Bus № 31, 714, 771, 780, 791.
- Metro – EUR Palasport stop.
Opening hours:
- from 09:00 to 18:00 – Tuesday – Saturday;
- from 09:00 to 20:00 – Sunday;
- day off – Monday.
