Located within the ancient San Paolo Complex, the museum is among the most important in Italy for the number of displayed pieces and for its historical and artistic value. Dedicated to Giordano Ferrari (1905-1987), puppeteer and collector from Parma, it consists of over 500 items including marionettes, puppets, glove puppets, set designs, props, photographs, posters, and scripts that together create a curious and stimulating museum experience. The exhibition is divided into two itineraries: one of the marionettes and one of the glove puppets. In the first case, the marionettes are classified based on different theater companies and arranged in chronological order; in the second, the glove puppets are organized by geographical origin to highlight regional differences. The collection also includes rare pieces, such as some Italian glove puppets from the 1500s and other equally interesting pieces crafted between the 17th and 18th centuries by northern Italian workshops, including masks from the Commedia dell’Arte and other popular and artistic traditions. Over time, the museum’s collection was enriched with three additional collections: that of journalist and folk culture scholar Franco Cristofori, that of engineer and amateur puppeteer Amilcare Adamoli, and the collection of television puppets from Gruppo 80 led by Kitti Perria and Enrico Valenti. One museum room is dedicated to the Ferrari family to document their artistic activity through an exhibition of their creations.
Information about Puppet Castle – “G. Ferrari” Museum
Strada M. Melloni, 3/a,
43121 Parma (Parma)
0521031631
castellodeiburattini@comune.parma.it
https://www.comune.parma.castellodeiburattini.it
Source: MIBACT
