Museum of Textiles and Industry of Busto Arsizio

The Museum of Textiles and Industry occupies three floors of a former cotton mill, displaying spinning machines, looms, and textile production equipment from different periods. The collections document the complete textile manufacturing process from raw materials to finished fabric through functional machinery and tools that explain each production stage.

The museum was founded in 1997 inside the Carlo Ottolini Cotton Mill building, which dates to 1896 and operated until 1978. The structure itself documents the industrialization of the region and the textile manufacturing heritage of northern Italy.

The second floor displays the schirpa, traditional bridal dowry collections from the Alto Milanese region featuring hand-embroidered garments and local lacework. These textiles show how important handcraft techniques were to local family identity and traditions.

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday with varying hours, including morning sessions on Fridays and afternoon openings on other days. Check the schedule before visiting to confirm opening times match your planned visit.

The museum exhibits specialized technical garments including a spacesuit worn by astronaut Franco Malerba and a Formula 1 racing seat used by Mika Haakkinen. These unexpected pieces demonstrate how advanced Italian textile work extended into fields like space exploration and motorsport.

Location: Busto Arsizio

Inception: 1896

Architects: Camillo Crespi Balbi

Official opening: October 30, 1997

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Address: Via Alessandro Volta 6, 21052 Busto Arsizio (VA)

Phone: +390331627983

Email: museibusto@comune.bustoarsizio.va.it

Website: http://comune.bustoarsizio.va.it

GPS coordinates: 45.61483,8.84683

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:03