La Rocca - Firenzuola

The route of the visit takes place in the interior of the underground of "La Rocca" (now the seat of the Municipal administration) where significant proofs of the history of Firenzuola are present as for example the numerous coats-of-arms of the vicars and the magistrates which represented the Florentine power, sculptured in pietra serena (a grey stone found in this area).
The expositive spaces are moreover strongly characterized in connection to the defensive-offensive role carried out by the Rocca of which the "muzzle room" and the underground passage of the embrasures remain.
Consequently as soon as the visitor enters the Museum he can see how the pietra serena has interested the settlement and daily life of the people of Firenzuola.
To make clear the bond between the history and culture and the use of the stone material, the history of Firenzuola is recalled since its foundation, underlining the quality of the "walled" village .
The tour of the museum is articulated in sections which point out the origin of the quarrying and work of the pietra serena among the people in Firenzuola.

So while illustrations show the stages of quarrying and work according to the traditional methods (before the introduction of motor diggers and drills), other pictures show diggers and stone-cutters, working places and yards, hand made goods and objects of daily use which reveal the domestic quality of the stone as far example sinks, cookers, the treshing-machine and to finish with drinking - troughs, toys, troughs all made with great wisdom and patience from a single block of stone.

The reality and difficulty of working in a quarry go past the smiling faces of the diggers when through an original documentation we realize that besides the density and number of the quarries we see the work accidents of which the life of a stone mason is studded .
The hand-made goods talk once more about the technical ability of the stone cultures. Two objects are the centre of attention to symbolise the knowledge of the Firenzuola makers the bas-relief of the Madonna of S. Pellegrino and the tabernacle of the church of Saints Dominic and Giustino in S. Pellegrino.
Before arriving here, it is necessary to stop in the two tunnels transformed in unexpected "memory mazes" where we discover the skill of sculpturing and the patience to extort to nature its own treasures.
The works of art accompained by notes which consent links and reminders to experiences particularly significant for the artistic culture, and not only Italian, conclude the itinerary .
The few efficient tools which accompained through times the work of the skilled stone cultures are the guides to reveal ability and works by "golden hands" which worked to finish off, decorate and embellish monuments and buildings of towns and countryside.

LET'S VISIT MORE THAN A MUSEUM, LESS YOU PAY! Don't lose the chance to visit the other museums!
With a full price ticket you can visit the other museums at a reduced price.
his offer is available for one year from the date of purchase. Ask to the ticket office of the first museum you visit!