Museo delle marionette e dei burattini

Did the clatter of wooden limbs and hushed whispers ever reach your ears? Here at the Museo delle marionette e dei burattini, those sounds come alive. The Museo delle marionette e dei burattini, nestled in Casa Gianduja on Via Pettinati, opened its doors in December 2024. This isn’t just a museum. It’s a portal, a journey into the heart of Italian puppetry. The Museo delle marionette e dei burattini houses over 200 pieces from the Grilli family’s vast collection. Augusto and Mariarosa Grilli, passionate collectors and puppeteers, envisioned this space. They wanted to share their lifelong love affair with these enchanting figures. The collection spans centuries, showcasing the rich history of puppetry from the 1700s to the early 1900s. Regions across Italy are represented, from Piedmont and Veneto to Emilia Romagna, Tuscany, and Campania. Imagine the delicate artistry of the puppets. Picture the vibrant backdrops and miniature props. The Museo delle marionette e dei burattini displays not only puppets and marionettes but also pupi, stages, furniture, props, scripts, and books. One highlight is the original late 18th-century theatre of Giovanni Lauro. Sixteen of his restored marionettes, standing at an impressive 1.20 meters tall, are also on display. A video projection of the Grilli company performing “The Servant of Two Masters” brings Lauro’s theatre back to life. Another treasure trove within the Museo delle marionette e dei burattini is the collection of Gerardo Bonino, the “King of Dolls.” Augusto and Mariarosa Grilli acquired his entire collection in 1975. His 19th-century marionettes are a testament to his craftsmanship. The museum also features more recent pieces, such as the puppets and papier-mâché heads from Paolo Pasotto’s collection from Bologna. A rare Neapolitan puppet and an animated marionette head are among the quirky treasures. This head boasts a unique internal mechanism that allows each part of its face to move. The restoration work itself is a story. The Museo delle marionette e dei burattini partnered with the Venaria Reale Restoration Center. They meticulously brought these figures back to their former glory. Even the wooden structures that once supported the stage sets have been repurposed as elegant display cases. The Museo delle marionette e dei burattini isn’t simply a place to observe. It’s a place to experience. Multimedia panels detail the intricate restoration process. A small theatre with monitors shows excerpts of performances, allowing visitors to see the puppets in action. The Museo delle marionette e dei burattini is more than just a collection of objects. It’s a living testament to the artistry, history, and cultural significance of Italian puppetry.