Shit museum, Modern art museum in Castelbosco, Gragnano Trebbiense, Italy.
The Shit Museum in Castelbosco Castle presents collections exploring the role of manure in agriculture, history, and sustainability. Exhibits range from archaeological finds and fossils to contemporary works, all organized within the castle's rooms.
The museum opened on 5 May 2015 in Castelbosco, a medieval castle in Gragnano Trebbiense. It was founded by dairy farmer Gianantonio Locatelli with architect Luca Cipelletti and artists Gaspare Luigi Marcone and Massimo Valsecchi. Locatelli's herd of about 3,500 cows produces milk for Grana Padano and dung that powers the farm; the museum grew out of that recycling system.
The dung beetle is the museum's emblem, chosen because ancient Egyptians revered the scarab as a symbol of rebirth. Exhibits cite Pliny's Naturalis Historia and Roman remedies made from animal excrement. The inaugural year brought Merdacotta, a patented material of dried cow dung and Tuscan clay fired into bowls, jugs, plates and tiles, which won first prize at the 2016 Milano Design Award.
The museum is housed in a castle, so wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for stairs and different floor levels. Check ahead to learn which sections are open, as some areas may have limited access on certain days.
The museum developed a patented material called Merdacotta, made from cow manure blended with Tuscan clay. This innovative substance is transformed into everyday functional pieces like bowls and pots that visitors can purchase.
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