Museo della Civiltà Contadina, Rural life museum in Carceri Abbey, Italy
The Museo della Civiltà Contadina is located on the first floor of the Cinquecento Cloister and displays agricultural tools and equipment from the early 20th century. The collection spans various work areas, from field labor to crafts carried out within homes.
The building was originally a Camaldolese Abbey founded in 1189 and served as an important rest stop for pilgrims traveling to Rome since 1107. This long history as a pilgrimage station shaped life at this location for centuries.
The exhibition shows tools and objects from daily peasant life, allowing visitors to understand the work done in fields and homes. The way items are arranged helps people step into the world of farming from earlier times.
The museum is free to enter on Saturday afternoons and Sundays, with guided tours available for groups by advance booking. It is helpful to check visiting hours in advance and arrange group visits well ahead of time.
The museum dedicates specific rooms to craft techniques such as wool processing, hemp manufacturing, shoemaking, and blacksmithing that were practiced in the region for generations. These specialized craft areas show how diverse and specialized the local economy once was.
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