Located within the ancient San Paolo Complex, the museum is among the most important in Italy for the number of pieces exhibited and for their historical and artistic value. Dedicated to Giordano Ferrari (1905-1987), puppeteer and collector from Parma, it consists of over 500 pieces including marionettes, puppets, burattini, stage sets, props, photographs, posters, and scripts that together create a curious and stimulating museum path. The exhibition is divided into two itineraries: that of the marionettes and that of the burattini. In the first case, the marionettes are divided based on different theatrical companies and arranged in chronological order; in the second case, the burattini are ordered based on geographic origin to highlight regional differences. The collection also features collector’s items, such as some Italian burattini from the 16th century and other equally interesting pieces made between the 17th and 18th centuries by manufacturers from northern Italy, including the masks of the Commedia dell’Arte and other popular and artistic traditions. The museum collection has also been enriched over time by three additional collections: that of journalist and popular 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 hall of the museum has been dedicated to the Ferrari family, to document their artistic activity through the exhibition of their creations.
Information about Castello dei burattini – Museum “G. Ferrari”
Strada M. Melloni, 3/a,
43121 Parma (Parma)
0521031631
castellodeiburattini@comune.parma.it
https://www.comune.parma.castellodeiburattini.it
Source: MIBACT
