Industrial & heritage museums in Italy

The National Automobile Museum (Museo Nazionale dell'Automobile) is an automobile museum in Turin that holds a collection of almost 200 cars, representing 80 automobile brands from 8 countries. The museum is situated in a building from 1960 that has three floors. The collection of The National Autom

The Galata Museum (Galata - Museo del Mare) is the largest museum of its kind (that focuses on the Mediterranean) and is located at the Porto Antico in Genoa in the Palazzo Galata. In addition to the replica of a full-size Genoese galley, the museum features interactive exhibition spaces that illust

The Museo Storico Navale, located at the Arsenale of Venice, is a property of the Italian Navy. It is a permanent exhibition of a collection of testimonies, relics, and historical memorabilia related to navigation. The museum particularly focuses on the Italian and Venetian maritime history, making it a significant destination for those interested in naval history.

The Lighthouse of Genoa, also commonly referred to as the Lantern ("Lanterna"), is a significant landmark situated in the port of Genoa, Italy. This historic lighthouse was constructed and equipped with lighting in the year 1543, making it a symbol of the city's rich maritime history.

The Museo della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci is a science and technology museum in Milan. It is named after Italian polymath of the Renaissance Leonardo da Vinci. With around 16,000 exhibits, it is the largest museum of its kind in Italy. The main building was once a monastery. The a

The City of Science in Catania is an initiative that aims to promote and disseminate scientific knowledge. It is managed by volunteers, most of whom are from the University of Catania. This makes it a unique place where visitors can learn about science in an engaging and interactive way, while also getting a sense of the local academic community's commitment to science education and outreach.

The Prato Textile Museum, situated in the heart of Prato, is housed in the converted Campolmi textile mill. This museum is recognized as Italy's largest hub for the study, conservation, and exhibition of both historic and contemporary textiles. It offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich textile history of Italy, making it a significant point of interest for tourists.

The museum showcases vintage cars and the overall evolution of the means of transport of the last two centuries.

The National Railway Museum of Pietrarsa (Museo Nazionale Ferroviario di Pietrarsa) is a railway museum in/near Naples that is housed in what was originally the old Bourbon workshop Officine di Pietrarsa where steam machines for ships and boilers for locomotives were built. The museum features 5 pav

MAGMA, the Museum of Cast Iron Arts in Maremma, is a unique museum situated in Follonica. It is located in the area of the former Ilva foundries, a significant industrial site that played a crucial role in the city's history. The museum offers a deep dive into the rich tradition of iron and cast iron production that shaped the city and its people.

The Former Florio Tuna Fishery of Favignana and Formica, also known as La Tonnara di Favignana, is a historic tuna fishery located in Favignana, one of the Egadi Islands. This establishment, which includes facilities for the preservation of the catch, is a significant part of the island's history and culture. Visitors can explore this ancient fishery and learn about its role in the local economy and way of life.

Located on Via Ostiense in Rome, Centrale Montemartini is the newest exhibition space among the municipal museums of Rome. In front of an industrial-archaeological backdrop, it houses about 400 Roman statues as well as tomb inscriptions and mosaics. Set in the oldest power plant in Rome, the museum

The Trieste Campo Marzio Railway Museum is a unique destination that offers a deep dive into the history of the railways of Friuli and Venezia Giulia. The museum showcases various means of locomotion, personnel, maintenance and management systems that were used in the past. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of railway systems in this region.

The Museo di Piana delle Orme is a unique park-museum situated in the province of Latina. It boasts a collection of around 50,000 artifacts, each carefully curated and displayed across various pavilions. Each pavilion is themed according to significant events in local history, such as the Anzio Landing during World War II and the reclamation of the Agro Pontino. This museum offers a comprehensive insight into the region's past, making it a fascinating destination for history enthusiasts.

The Sardinian Railway Museum, located within the Cagliari station, was inaugurated in 1985. It is managed by the Sardinian Historical Trains Association "Sardegnavapore" and is owned by Rete Ferroviaria Italiana. This museum offers a unique insight into the history of railways in Sardinia.

The Palazzo Poggi is a palazzo in Bologna and is the headquarters of the University of Bologna. The museum of the Palazzo Poggi holds various collections, including a natural history collection, an anatomy and obstetrics collection, a physics and chemistry collection, a Geography room, military arch

The Musei della Cartiera Papale in Ascoli Piceno is located in a multifunctional architectural complex. This complex has a rich history, having been used for various activities such as paper mills, water mills, cloth tanning, and ironworks over time. The museum offers a unique insight into these historical industries and the role they played in the region's development.

The Istituto Ricerche Esplosivistiche (IRE) was established in the 1980s as a private collection by its founder and current president, Danilo Coppe. His professional journey began in the Apuan Marble Basin, followed by work in quarries for cement aggregates. He later collaborated with Lennart Abersten, a Swedish specialist who first diverted the lava of a volcano during the Eruption of Etna in 1983 using explosives in a targeted manner.

La Casa del Suono, located in Parma, is a unique museum that focuses on the history and evolution of instruments used for sound reproduction and transmission. It offers an extensive collection of around 400 pieces, ranging from early phonographs and galena radios to modern digital players. The museum provides a fascinating journey through the development of sound technology, making it an interesting visit for anyone interested in music, technology, or history.

The Museum of Electrical Technology (MTE) is a unique institution located in Pavia, Italy. It is dedicated to the world of electrotechnics and electrical engineering. The museum was officially opened to the public in March 2007, offering a comprehensive insight into the history and development of electrical technology.

Learn more about the beautiful material and what can be made out of it. A showcase of artifacts from 18th century.

The Maritime Museum in Triest, founded in 1904, is a historical institution that houses a vast collection of documents and objects. These artifacts narrate the history of the port and maritime activities of the city. Visitors can gain a deep understanding of the city's maritime past and its evolution over the centuries.

The Museo Dinamico del Laterizio e delle Terrecotte, located in Marsciano, is a museum dedicated to the centuries-old and traditional production of bricks and terracotta. This museum offers a unique insight into the history and craftsmanship of these materials, making it a fascinating destination for those interested in history, architecture, and art.

The Museo Nazionale dei Trasporti, located in La Spezia, was established in 1986 with the aim of collecting and preserving historical means of transport, tools, and related documentation. The museum also has a branch at the new Taggia station, providing visitors with two locations to explore the rich history of transportation in Italy.

In the Leonardo da Vinci Museum in Rome, you can discover interactive and life-size machines crafted by Italian artisans from Leonardo’s codices and see exhibitions on his most famous Renaissance art, anatomical sketches and animations of The Last Supper, Vitruvian Man, and the Sforza equestrian scu

The Centro Storico Fiat is a museum and company archive in Turin where automobiles, airplanes, trains, tractors, trucks, bicycles, washing machines and refrigerators of the Fiat brand are exhibited along with scale models, reconstructions of parts of the production process, posters and advertisement

Museo del Patrimonio Industriale (The Museum of Industrial Heritage of the Municipality of Bologna) is a history museum in Bologna that is specifically dedicated to the industrial history of the city from the 14th century to the present. The museum is housed in the renovated buildings of a brick kil

The Railway Museum of Puglia, located in Lecce, Italy, is a significant destination for those interested in the history of railways. The museum houses a collection of objects that provide insight into the railway history of the Puglia region. This includes historical vehicles, railway-specific equipment, and model railway installations that recreate specific operational situations.

The Glass Museum of Empoli is situated in a historical building at 50 Ridolfi Street. This building, known as the 'salt warehouse', dates back to the 14th century and was originally used to store and distribute the product of the Volterra salt pans. This unique location adds a layer of historical significance to the museum, making it not just a place to learn about glassmaking, but also a site of historical interest.

The Pharmaziemuseum Brixen, also known as Museo della Farmacia di Bressanone, is a museum located in Bressanone, South Tyrol, Italy. This small museum is dedicated to the history of pharmacy and offers a unique insight into the evolution of this field. It's an interesting destination for those who are interested in history, medicine, or pharmacy.

The Museo della Navigazione nelle Acque Interne (MNAI) is a specialized museum located in Capodimonte, in the province of Viterbo. Owned by the Municipality of Capodimonte, the museum offers a unique insight into the history of inland water navigation.

The Parco Museo Ferroviario (Parco Museo Ferroviario Met.Ro) is a railway museum in Rome that holds numerous vehicles of the predecessor companies that made up the ATAC. It is located in the Roma Porta San Paolo train station on the Roma Porta San Paolo-Cristoforo Colombo railway line to Lido di Ost

The Museo della Fondazione scienza e tecnica is the museum of the Science and Technology Foundation in Florence. The Foundation was founded in 1987 to preserve, promote and spread the scientific and technological culture. Museo della Fondazione scienza e tecnica is the largest collection in Italy an

The Museo Officine Benelli is situated in Pesaro, specifically at Viale Mameli 22. This location was formerly the site of the Benelli factories, which were in operation until the late 1980s. Today, it serves as a testament to the city's industrial history and the legacy of the Benelli brand.

Sirmuma, the Sea Museum of Syracuse, is situated in Ortigia, at the Vittorio Emanuele II forum, popularly known as Marina. This location is a significant part of the city's history and culture, making it an interesting spot for tourists to visit. The museum's location adds to the overall maritime experience, as it is surrounded by the sea and the city's vibrant marine life.

Museo di Fisica is a Museum of physics in Rome that organizes various scientific and technological exhibitions. The items on display in the museum are divided into 7 thematic sections, each of them focusing on different aspect of physics. These range from acoustics to pumps. The highlights of the ex

Short of ideas on what do to on the weekend? Take an excursion of the museum and learn about the mining history or go for a cable ride.

The museum covers a variety of topics from the history of using geothermal energy to the technological details and questions of sustainability.

Spazio La Stampa lets its visitors learn about the La Stampa newspapers in an interactive way. The exhibition explains the development of technologies and the newspapers itself.

The Achille Castiglioni Studio Museum is a museum devoted to Achille Castiglioni, an Italian designer of furniture, lighting and radiograms. DUring a tour through the museum, visitors get to see the rooms where Achille created and developed his designs.

The Museo della Giostra e dello Spettacolo Popolare, located in Bergantino, is a cultural center dedicated to the research and historical documentation of itinerant popular entertainment. The museum traces the evolution of this form of entertainment from its origins in country fairs to the rides found in modern amusement parks. It provides a unique insight into a significant aspect of Italian cultural history.

In the Museo della Radio e della Televisione (The Turin Museum of Radio and Television) visitors learn more about the history of the radio. The museum holds a collection of over 1,500 items, including original equipment and recordings.

The museum of the Fonderia Napoleonica Eugenia is located in accurately restored ancient workshops that conserves documents, photographs, tools and equipment related to the activities undertaken by the Barigozzi family for more then a century. The museum aims to conserve the memory of the ancient tr

The Museo Etnografico del Ferro, delle Arti e Tradizioni Popolari is situated in the municipality of Bienno, in the scenic Val Camonica, within the province of Brescia. This location is not only rich in cultural heritage but also offers a picturesque setting for visitors.

Museo Hernann Nitsch (The Hermann Nitsch Museum) is a museum for contemporary arts in Naples housed is housed in an industrial building used to produce electricity from 1892. The museum is dedicated to the documentation and in-depth study of the philosophical, poetic and visual themes developed by t