Museum of School and Children's Books, Turin

Museum of School and Children's Books in Turin (Museo Scuola Libro Infanzia) offers visitor a rather unusual product. There is a huge collection of exhibits, fully reproducing the history of the education system of the city and the region here. At the same time, communication with other regions and countries is not out of sight. The museum presents a large number of children's literature, which plays a key role in education.

History of the museum

The roots of the museum go back to the distant past. As early as 1829, the Marquis Tancredi di Barolo founded in a building where a museum, a kindergarten and a school for children from poor families are now open. In 2002, a fund was created, bearing the name of an aristocrain the Barolo Palace. It was headed by scientists and collectors, the wife of Vagliani. In 2006, a museum was opened in the palace building, including many exhibits related to education. Most of them belonged to the family. In 2011, the second part of the exposition, represented by children's literature was created in the museum.

Exhibits of the Museum of School 

The museum is located in the previously closed wing of the Palazzo Barolo. It occupies 4 floors, and the entire assembly is divided into 2 routes. The first, "School Route" presents the development of education to the visitor through a variety of exhibits. After a visit, both children and adults will be able to feel the significant difference between the education of past centuries and the modern one. This route, in turn, is divided into several halls:

• The classroom of the times of the book "Heart". In the room you will see original benches and furniture from 1881-1882, such as school posters, folders and educational materials. There is also a school wardrobe. The methods of those times, consisting in encouragement and punishment, are considered in detail. Nearby there is a room devoted to the author of the book, Edmondo Amicis.
• Funny school. The collection includes miniature models of school classes, table games and illustrations of the late 19th century. There are also drawings of artists showing pupils and teachers in an ironic way. A separate section is devoted to the role of Pinocchio in school shows.
• Children's room. The room features engravings and lithographs depicting the school life of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The hall is decorated in the form of a children's room, in which you feel like a child who wants to play, and not do homework.
• Kindergarten. It is a reproduced room for preschoolers of the early 20th century with furniture and games.
• Classroom of the beginning of the 20th century. The school premises of the beginning of the last century, its furnishing and atmosphere were completely recreated here.
• Temporary exhibition hall. Exhibits related to the study of different disciplines for two centuries are represented here. Among the exhibited items are interesting school dioramas that represent the African sabana and various materials used in everyday life.

The second, a little younger, "Book Route" is located in the seven rooms of the basement and the first floor of the building. It includes books, original drawings, games, dating back to the 18th century. The main emphasis is placed on the role of children's literature in the learning process. The route is divided into several parts:

• Art and children. A complete collection of children's illustrations by well-known artists of the past.
• Fantastic library. This is a multimedia space, combining modern monitors, wood and books of the past. The central part is occupied by the exposition of the books "Grandi Libri sotto la Mole", as well as a section devoted to editors of books in Turin in 1860-1960.
• "In the corner of the children." This section is devoted to the interconnection of books, radio, television, cinema and music, and their role in education.
• Book factory. The printing house and the process of manufacturing and printing books and school magazines are represented here.
• "It moves!" The final part of the exposition is devoted to various kinds of animation and its development.

In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum offers seminars for schools and groups, as well as special thematic workshops.

How to get there

Museum of School and Children's Books is located in the historic center of Turin, on Via Corte d'Appello, 20/C, next to the Square of Savoy. In the neighborhood near the square there is the Palace Saluzzo and the Obelisk to the Siccardi laws. Garibaldi stop is in a 2-minute walk away. You can reach it by buses № 52, 67, W60.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 12:30, Sunday from 15:30 to 18:30. Saturday is a day off. Phone number (+39) 011 19784944.

Admission: ticket price – 6 euro, for Turistikard owners – 4 euro. For children under 11 – admission is free. On Wednesdays for single visitors – free entrance.