THE STONEWORK MUSEUM

THE STONEWORK MUSEUM

EX COLLEGIO DEI SALESIANI, STRADA IN CASENTINO, CASTEL SAN NICCOLÒ - AREZZO

THE STONEWORK MUSEUM

THE STONEWORK MUSEUM

EX COLLEGIO DEI SALESIANI, STRADA IN CASENTINO, CASTEL SAN NICCOLÒ - AREZZO

WHY VISIT?

To visit a place of great significance in the history of this town and from where you can enjoy picturesque panoramic views. To acquire the keys to understanding the material and immaterial heritage regarding stonework, starting with the valuable testimonies preserved in the town of Strada in Casentino. To learn about the history, techniques and tools, unchanged for centuries and still used today by the stonemasons of the town.

LAYOUT AND CHARACTERISTICS

The Museum was created with the aim of studying, providing documentation, interpreting and handing down the diverse territorial heritage linked to stonework, both material and immaterial, present in the Solano valley and in Casentino in general.

The choice of the elements to valorize and promote was made using the following two interconnected methods:

- studies and research carried out by researchers from the University of Florence - Chair of Medieval Archeology, accompanied by some reconnaissance (light archeology) with the participation of the inhabitants and some excavation and territorial investigation.

- the retrieval of technical knowledge with the involvement of the inhabitants. In particular, the creation of the Community Map of the Upper Solano Valley has made it possible to identify important places and memories. Some of these have been part of optimization and revitalization initiatives. A working project directly involving families of stonemasons has also made it possible to collect information, documentation and memories.

The exhibition itinerary

The museum, housed in the former church of the Salesian College, is divided into four sections:

GENIUS LOCI

Featuring the landscape, small traditional works for everyday use, and local imagery.

THE MEDIEVAL AGE OF STONE

After a brief presentation of the Middle Ages in Casentino, methods of work and interpretative criteria typical of medieval archeology are presented together with some particularly representative stone artifacts of the Solano Valley. A small archaeological collection exhibits the objects found in the Sant’Angelo excavation in Cetica.

THE STONEMASONS OF STRADA IN CASENTINO

History, artifacts, work and testimonies linked to families who have been dedicated to stonework for generations.

THE ART OF STONEWORK TODAY

Optimization initiatives and tour itineraries. The exhibition itinerary concludes with some "multimedia stations" dedicated to the "landscape of sound" and the presentation of film documentaries collected as part of the CRED - Bank of Memory of the Union of Townships of Casentino project.

SPECIAL FEATURES AND CURIOSITIES

The remains of two stone noughts and crosses games found during the excavation at the castle of Sant’Angelo in Cetica can be seen in the small archaeological collection kept in the museum. The game was probably played by the garrisons who were on guard duty... Come and play a game with us!

Appuntamenti fissi

FIXED APPOINTMENTS

Archeology Evenings (July) with historical and archaeological insights; Stone chiseling workshops for children (summer period); Various types of events throughout the year at the auditorium and the theater located in the same building.

Luoghi

ROUTES AND ITINERARIES, PLACES OF INTEREST CONNECTED TO OR NEAR THE STRUCTURE

It is possible to go on a real "journey through time and space" in the town of Strada in Casentino to discover the following stonework remains:

  • Pieve di San Martino at Vado with its fascinating capitals decorated with figures.
  • Monumental Cemetery
  • Logge del Grano (town square) and the streets of the old center.
  • Bridge over the Solano stream, medieval village and San Niccolò Castle (exterior only). In the same village, inside the deconsecrated church, there is a workshop where you can have a go at chiseling stone with traditional tools and try out the educational equipment.
  • The Galleria di Frate Francesco, in Strada, has a collection of almost one hundred sandstone sculptures by national and international sculptors representing important episodes in the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. The exhibition was originally a travelling one and has been presented in Rome, Florence, La Verna, Assisi, Pisa and Krakow.

The particular relationship that Saint Francis had with stone emerges from the sculptures: now a stone to repair the Church; a special table on which to place the Gifts of God; raw stone on which to rest on a journey; rocks and caves that provide solitude and silence, stone was indispensable for getting in touch with God.

Orologio

INFORMATION AND OPENING HOURS

Scheduled opening hours: July and August: Wednesday and Saturday from 17.00 to 19.00; Sunday from 10.00 to 12.00. Information and openings by reservation: Proloco Strada in Casentino 339 8685830; 340 2932121