Tuscany is a famous fashion destination and has produced some of the world’s most famous and beloved clothing brands, including Gucci and Ferragamo. This heritage and tradition stretches far back into history and, as a result, the region is also home to lots of different fashion museums. You can visit the museums of those aforementioned big fashion houses in Florence, the grand Costume Gallery (a fashion museum that is part of the impressive Palazzo Pitti complex), the Textile Museum in Prato, and more. However, one of the lesser-known, but nonetheless exceptional, examples of a fashion museum in Tuscany is located in the town of Stia, in the lovely Casentino Valley. If you have found a vacation rental in Casentino and are exploring the area, be sure to come to Stia to see the pretty town, visit her unique Wool Museum, and learn all about the heritage of wool production in the area.
The Museo dell’Arte della Lana, or Wool Museum, is located the old wool mill of the town and reflects the importance and long history of the industry in this Tuscan town. Built in 1838, this mill produced “panno casentino”, particular traditional orange and green fabrics that date back centuries, and ceased operations in the 1990s. It was then reopened as a museum in 2010 and explains the history and importance of the industry, as well as the workings of a wool mill through a full sensory experience involving photos, objects from the mill and wool making throughout the centuries, information panels, vintage clothes, and fabric samples that visitors are invited to touch in order to understand the art of wool making. The museum also offers various educational and outreach programs, as well as workshops for children and special tours for the visually impaired in which they are introduced to the various fibres or taught how to use a loom.
In addition, there are also temporary exhibitions of different artists who work in the field from time to time, such as textile designer Alice Stransky, who created fabrics for the likes of Dior and Balmain, and special full-day workshops such as tapestry-making classes. So, if you’re interested in getting hands-on with the fashion history of Tuscany, then plan a visit to the Wool Museum in Stia!
Museo dell’Arte della Lana
Via Sartori, 2, Stia (AR)
Opening Hours:
Summer (from 1 June to 30 September)
Winter (from 1 October to 31 May)
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10am to 1pm
Thursday – Sunday: 10am to 1pm / 4pm to 7pm (summer), 10am to 1pm / 3pm to 6pm (winter)
Saturday: 4 to 7pm (summer), 3 to 6pm (winter)
August openings: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 1pm / 4 to 7pm
Tickets:
Full price: €5
Reduced price: €3 (Students from 6 to 18 years of age, visitors over 65 years of age)
Free for kids under six and disabled visitors.
Guided visits also available.
In addition, there are also temporary exhibitions of different artists who work in the field from time to time, such as textile designer Alice Stransky, who created fabrics for the likes of Dior and Balmain, and special full-day workshops such as tapestry-making classes. So, if you’re interested in getting hands-on with the fashion history of Tuscany, then plan a visit to the Wool Museum in Stia!
Museo dell’Arte della Lana
Via Sartori, 2, Stia (AR)
Opening Hours:
Summer (from 1 June to 30 September)
Winter (from 1 October to 31 May)
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 10am to 1pm
Thursday – Sunday: 10am to 1pm / 4pm to 7pm (summer), 10am to 1pm / 3pm to 6pm (winter)
Saturday: 4 to 7pm (summer), 3 to 6pm (winter)
August openings: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 1pm / 4 to 7pm
Tickets:
Full price: €5
Reduced price: €3 (Students from 6 to 18 years of age, visitors over 65 years of age)
Free for kids under six and disabled visitors.
Guided visits also available.