The Museo Archeologico del Canavese is founded on the long tradition of archaeological research that began after World War II in the Canavese territory of the modern day Piedmont Region in northwest Italy. The intensity of this work increased exponentially after excavations in the “Boira Fusca” Cave in the 1970s discovered late Paleolithic era human activity. These excavations and more than 30 years of other signficant archaeological work in the area enable the museum’s collection to cover all the significant phases of human development in Canavese from the late Paleolithic era through the Middle Ages. The collection is arranged chronologically in order to give the visitor a sense of human development through time, a story that clearly transends the Canavese area itself.

The Museo Archeologico del Canavese aims to be the cultural center of the Canavese area through its permanent collection and the organization of important temporary expositions and other activities. To accomplish this goal, the museum cooperates with many local cultural authorities and institutions to preserve the findings of the area and to promote the territory and its heritage.

The museum is home to several significant artifacts derived from the area’s cultural heritage. For example, one of the museum’s most prized possessions is the tomb of a Bronze Age Prince (see picture and video link to the right) that was discovered in Vestignè. Several great neolithical villages in Montalto, Pont, and San Martino have given the museum its presence from that era and Roman settlements in Valperga, Perosa, and Pauda have contributed artifacts as well. In particular, a collection of Roman tombstones from Valperga and Levone are on display. Finally, the middle age is well represented by a magnificent wall painting, restored by CESMA’s art conservation teachers and students, that was extracted from the ruins of Castelnuovo Nigra, a residency of one of modern Italy’s founding fathers with close relations with the Savoian family.

One unique factor contributing to the life and success of the museum is its collocation with CESMA’s school of art conservation and archaeology. The museum is always alive with the school’s activities and ensures the students and teachers have a constant flow of cultural artifacts to restore. This arrangement also guarantees the museum will continue to be an important place for research and new ideas. You can see evidence of this synergy by viewing the short video clip on the left of CESMA’s restoration of the Castelnuovo Nigra fresco now housed in the museum.

In 2004, the museum moved to its present location, complete with modern restoration labs, multimedia facilities and 1,500 square meters of space, in the Manifattura (see picture on the top right of the page), a recently restored textile factory in Cuorgnè. A guided tour of the museum, which can also include a tour of the Boira Fusca cave, can be arranged for groups of 15 or more.

OPENING HOURS
From Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed on Saturday and Holidays.
Opened on Saturday and Holidays by reservation only.
Archeological site of “Boira Fusca” Cave opened by reservation  only.

FOR INFO AND RESERVATIONS: 
Please call or email the museum in advance for reservations.
Tel./Fax: 0124/651799
info@cesmaonline.org

Musuem that has an agreement with FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano)
Find out about subscriber’s discount on www.faiperme.it