Museum of Saving, Turin
The Museum of Saving (Museo del Risparmio) in Turin is a very interesting place where you can learn more about the history of money, financial management and the economic aspect of our society. This museum has become the first of its kind in the world. Going there do not expect dull tours and boring guides. The Italians indeed punched above their weight having covered such subject and organized museum of tomorrow.
History of the museum
The museum is located in a building that will soon be 500 years old! It was constructed back in 1519. Quite symbolic that the first pawnshop in Turin was housed in this place for a long time. Eras changed, the building had undergone a number of renovations. During this time, Turin became an important industrial and economic center of Europe. At the turn of the 20th century, the place was purchased by the Italian bank Intesa San Paolo. Soon after that, the restoration works and the reorganization of the museum space started. The project was carried out by the design company Migliore&Servetto Architetti Associati. Then on May 24, 2012, the official opening took place – it was a sensation. Moreover, the museum had become one of the youngest ones in the city.
Museum exhibition
Nowadays, finances play a huge role in society. It becomes more and more difficult for people to manage their funds properly often because of insufficient financial education. Therefore, the idea was born to create a unique, innovative and entertaining place for both adults and children where people can learn basic aspects of economy and investment in plain language. The museum’s mission is to give the financial education to citizens. The museum’s motto is “Know. Learn. Experiment" which fully describes everything that will happen during the tour.
The exhibition itself consists of an interactive and virtual tour which has several sequential stages:
- Know. This part covers the history of money, its origin and the impact on the development of civilization.
- Learn. This is where a more difficult stage begins where you will learn about the main characteristics of most common financial tools (stocks, bonds, insurance, investment and pension funds, loans).
- Tell. This is the part of the museum where you will hear stories from famous writers (Dante, Moliere, Shakespeare, Hemingway) about their life and its financial aspects.
- Dream. Inspiring and motivating stories from famous personalities of our time presented in the form of entertaining films.
- Experiment. You can play the game using the knowledge you acquired during the tour, test your capabilities and just have some fun.
- The final stage. At the end you sum up everything you have learned, this is a kind of exam. Do not worry, however, this is not a school or university, everything is easy and fun.
The time in the museum passes quickly, and modern interiors will make your pastime as convenient as possible. Children will find this place particularly interesting since they have their own guides – museum mascots, thrifty ants For and Mika. Thus, the museum offers a qualitatively new product in the field of financial education moving away from the traditional and rather boring lectures and seminars.
How to get
The Museum of Saving is located in the heart of the old city of Turin, in the midst of beautiful medieval buildings. The entrance is situated on Via San Francesco d'Assisi, 8 / a. The City Tower and Palazzo Scaglia di Verrua can be found nearby. You can get to the museum by tram № 4, and by bus № 11, 19, 27, 51, 57, 92, STAR2, N04 or W60. Get off at the Monte di Pieta stop.
Opening hours: from 10:00 to 19:00, the ticket office closes at 18:00. Closed on Tuesday. Contact number: (+39) 800 167619.
Admission: a full ticket costs 8 euros, reduced one (students, pensioners and groups with 15–25 people) – 6 euros. Schoolchildren and children aged 6–18 can purchase it for 4 euro. Children under 6 are free of charge.
