Tiles tell tales here at Museo delle maioliche Stanze al genio. It is more than just a museum. It’s a private home brimming with history and art. We are standing before Palazzo Torre Pirajno. This 18th-century palace houses a unique collection.
Pio Mellina began collecting tiles at just eleven years old. His passion grew. He eventually bought his portion of the palace. Now, his home is our museum. Inside the Museo delle maioliche Stanze al genio, over 2300 antique maiolica tiles await. These tiles hail from Sicily and Naples. Their creation spans from the 15th to the 20th centuries. But wait, there’s more than tiles. You will discover vintage stationery and old toys.
The Museo delle maioliche Stanze al genio is divided into themed rooms. The entrance hall welcomes you. Then there is a neoclassical room with 18th-century ceiling decorations. The flower room bursts with floral motifs. Burgio room displays ceramics from Burgio. The ink room showcases antique ink bottles. Vases adorn the vase room. Finally, you’ll find the dining room and the Art Nouveau room.
Almost 5000 Italian maiolica tiles are displayed across nine rooms. The main halls retain original late 18th and early 19th-century floors and frescoes. Besides maiolica tiles, there is a collection of over fifty mid-20th century ink bottles. Also, you will find boxes of pens and old glass inkwells. The museum displays contemporary ceramics modern art and old toys. The maiolica tile exhibition is divided by era and production center. These centers are in Campania and Sicily.
The Stanze al Genio Cultural Association was founded in 2008. Pio Mellina Antonino Perna Luisa Masi and Davide Sansone were the founders. Their goal was to share a collection of antique tiles. These tiles were collected over thirty years. The Museo delle maioliche Stanze al genio opened to the public in December 2008. This followed careful restoration work.
Many tiles were found in markets or acquired. Sadly, some were even rescued from trash. Each tile was restored before being displayed. This devoted work allows us to trace the evolution of maiolica use in Southern Italian homes since the 16th century.
Davide Sansone restores the maiolica tiles. The restoration depends on the tile’s condition. Excess mortar is carefully removed. Next comes cleaning and consolidating the terracotta and enamel layers. Missing areas are reconstructed. The design is recreated using tracing paper. Attention is paid to the back. Each tile’s factory mark is vital for identification. The tiles are mounted on wooden supports with L-shaped nails. This allows easy transport for cleaning or further restoration.
The Museo delle maioliche Stanze al genio is a testament to creative chaos. The palace was once divided into small apartments and neglected. Volunteers painstakingly restored frescoes. Pio Mellina dedicated much of his life to this collection. For him, displaying the collection is the most rewarding moment. It follows years of acquisition restoration and mounting. Remember to book your visit. This ensures you experience the magic within these walls. The Museo delle maioliche Stanze al genio is a vibrant tableau. It’s a place where history and art intertwine.