The Grifani-Donati printing press is located just steps from the central square of Città di Castello, opposite the town hall, in a medieval building on Corso Cavour.
The premises occupied by the printing house overlook the church of San Paolo, formerly a convent seat then a prison.
Founded in 1799, it is one of the oldest active printing presses in Italy.
Since the 1870s, when the printing industry was introduced in Città di Castello, Grifani Donati focused on a niche market having mainly public administrations, ecclesiastical bodies, wealthy families, as well as intellectuals and artists as clients. The current owners, Gianni Ottaviani and his wife Adriana, have continued the family tradition by adding to the typographic production, which was the main sector of activity, that of intaglio printing (etching techniques, drypoint, burin engraving, etc.), stone lithography, with the acquisition of presses and related equipment, and bookbinding and restoration.
Visitors who climb the steep staircase leading to the printing house will experience the emotion of a journey into the past, seeing, in an environment that still retains its original appearance, wooden drawers full of type, old posters, and still functioning period machinery.
Guided and demonstrative tours are available for individuals, groups, and school classes, and training and advanced courses are organized.
Information about the Documentation Center of Graphic Arts “Grifani-Donati” 1799
Corso Cavour, 4
06012 Città di Castello (Perugia)
0758554349
info@grifanidonati.it
https://www.grifanidonati.it
Source: MIBACT
