Located in the Province of Siena,Colle di Val d’Elsa is a pretty medieval town that is not far from the historic via Francigena and was, therefore, a pit-stop for travellers and pilgrims for centuries. Like many cities in Tuscany, it was once a centre of artistic and artisanal production but, unlike most of its neighbours, remains that way to this day. It continues to be the Italian capital of crystal and, as such, has been nicknamed the “Bohemia of Italy.” In fact, Colle di Val d’Elsa accounts for 95% of all Italian crystal glass production and 14% of the global production of crystal, which is an incredible feat.
Due to this scale and the economic importance of the craft in the town, it remains central to life for locals, with the first Sunday of each month playing host to a crystal market in town and open-air demonstrations of glass-making (from around 3pm) in the historical centre of the city on Via della Misericordia. In addition, there is also a rather special museum dedicated to the craft, the Museum of Crystal of Colle di Val d'Elsa, which puts these incredible objects on display. If you have found a holiday rental in Siena and are spending time exploring the province, set aside some time to get a little bit off the beaten tourist path and come enjoy the peace and beauty of this amazing town and its rich cultural history. You might even pick up a piece of crystal as a special and lovely souvenir of your time in this beautiful part of the world.
Due to this scale and the economic importance of the craft in the town, it remains central to life for locals, with the first Sunday of each month playing host to a crystal market in town and open-air demonstrations of glass-making (from around 3pm) in the historical centre of the city on Via della Misericordia. In addition, there is also a rather special museum dedicated to the craft, the Museum of Crystal of Colle di Val d'Elsa, which puts these incredible objects on display. If you have found a holiday rental in Siena and are spending time exploring the province, set aside some time to get a little bit off the beaten tourist path and come enjoy the peace and beauty of this amazing town and its rich cultural history. You might even pick up a piece of crystal as a special and lovely souvenir of your time in this beautiful part of the world.
The history of glass production in Colle di Val d'Elsa is not actually that long, comparatively, and dates back to 1820 when a French glass-maker named Francesco Mathis opened the first crystal factory and built the first furnace in town in a building next to the suppressed Augustinian convent beside the Church of Sant'Agostino, in the lower part of the village. This furnace was one-of-a-kind in Tuscany and took the typical Tuscan green glass that was made in the region and transformed it into something a little more sophisticated and special. Then, next to the main factory, in a neighbouring building, the crystal objects were decorated and finishing touches and intaglio carvings were added. The industry caught on and flourished in town until, eventually, Colle di Val d'Elsa became one of the key players in crystal production, not only in Italy, but also on a global scale.
The Museum of Crystal of Colle di Val d'Elsa is actually housed inside one of these historic furnaces, in the former furnaces of the Cristallerie e Vetrerie Schmidt, or ex-vetreria Boschi, factory at Via dei Fossi 8. It tells the story of local glass and crystal production in Colle di Val d'Elsa, beginning in 1820, with the first furnace being built, and through to the creation of lead glass in 1963. In addition to the innovative crystal pieces and 20th century manufacturing techniques, the museum also showcases objects from the pre-industrial era and handmade crystal glass artefacts from the area that date all the way back to the 14th and 15th centuries. The exhibition of the museum then ends with the “crystal forest,” which is “a scenographic interpretation of the emotions evoked from the material,” to which the museum is dedicated and which acts as an emotional and artistic climax to the dedicated exploration of this integral and beloved local industry.
So, if you're interested in procuring the most special and unique souvenirs, in discovering incredible local crafts, in experiencing local culture, in learning about local traditions, in crystal (in particular), and in getting well off the regular and beaten tourist path, then a visit to Colle di Val d'Elsa, and especially to her crystal museum, is a must. Particularly if you have found a vacation rental in Siena or a holiday rental in Colle di Val d'Elsa itself if you really want to see lesser-visited corners of Tuscany with lots to offer a visitor, then it really is an ideal and rather beautiful little spot to pencil into your travel itinerary.
The Museum of Crystal of Colle di Val d'Elsa is actually housed inside one of these historic furnaces, in the former furnaces of the Cristallerie e Vetrerie Schmidt, or ex-vetreria Boschi, factory at Via dei Fossi 8. It tells the story of local glass and crystal production in Colle di Val d'Elsa, beginning in 1820, with the first furnace being built, and through to the creation of lead glass in 1963. In addition to the innovative crystal pieces and 20th century manufacturing techniques, the museum also showcases objects from the pre-industrial era and handmade crystal glass artefacts from the area that date all the way back to the 14th and 15th centuries. The exhibition of the museum then ends with the “crystal forest,” which is “a scenographic interpretation of the emotions evoked from the material,” to which the museum is dedicated and which acts as an emotional and artistic climax to the dedicated exploration of this integral and beloved local industry.
So, if you're interested in procuring the most special and unique souvenirs, in discovering incredible local crafts, in experiencing local culture, in learning about local traditions, in crystal (in particular), and in getting well off the regular and beaten tourist path, then a visit to Colle di Val d'Elsa, and especially to her crystal museum, is a must. Particularly if you have found a vacation rental in Siena or a holiday rental in Colle di Val d'Elsa itself if you really want to see lesser-visited corners of Tuscany with lots to offer a visitor, then it really is an ideal and rather beautiful little spot to pencil into your travel itinerary.
Museo del Cristallo
Via dei Fossi, 8 - Colle di Val d'Elsa (Siena) Italy
+39 0577 924135
museodelcristallo@gmail.com
Opening Hours:
Tuesday – Sunday, 10am to 6pm
Closed on Mondays.
Tickets:
Adult: €4
Reduced rate: €2.50 (Applies to children from 6 to 17, adults over 65, groups of over 15 people + 2 free tickets for group guides, families with 3 or more members, teachers and both Italian and international students with valid id).
Free admission for children under 6, residents, tour guides, interpreters (for tour guides or groups), journalists (with documentation), and disabled visitors.
Please Note: As of August 2019, the Museum of Crystal's permanent home of Via dei Fossi is currently under renovation. However, the majority of the museum's masterpieces and core collection has been temporarily transferred to the, "Glass and Crystal Exhibition Space," at No. 33 on Via del Castello, in the historic centre of the city and entrance to the collection is currently free of charge, as a result. While it is unfortunate that the whole museum, in its incredible and significant historical setting in a former furnace, is currently not accessible, it remains well-worth checking out the amazing pieces that are still on display. For the most up-to-date information and for updates on the progress of the renovations, please check out the museum's official website and/or social media channels.
Museo del Cristallo
Via del Castello, 33 - Colle di Val d'Elsa (Siena) Italy
+39 0577 924135
museodelcristallo@gmail.com
Via dei Fossi, 8 - Colle di Val d'Elsa (Siena) Italy
+39 0577 924135
museodelcristallo@gmail.com
Opening Hours:
Tuesday – Sunday, 10am to 6pm
Closed on Mondays.
Tickets:
Adult: €4
Reduced rate: €2.50 (Applies to children from 6 to 17, adults over 65, groups of over 15 people + 2 free tickets for group guides, families with 3 or more members, teachers and both Italian and international students with valid id).
Free admission for children under 6, residents, tour guides, interpreters (for tour guides or groups), journalists (with documentation), and disabled visitors.
Please Note: As of August 2019, the Museum of Crystal's permanent home of Via dei Fossi is currently under renovation. However, the majority of the museum's masterpieces and core collection has been temporarily transferred to the, "Glass and Crystal Exhibition Space," at No. 33 on Via del Castello, in the historic centre of the city and entrance to the collection is currently free of charge, as a result. While it is unfortunate that the whole museum, in its incredible and significant historical setting in a former furnace, is currently not accessible, it remains well-worth checking out the amazing pieces that are still on display. For the most up-to-date information and for updates on the progress of the renovations, please check out the museum's official website and/or social media channels.
Museo del Cristallo
Via del Castello, 33 - Colle di Val d'Elsa (Siena) Italy
+39 0577 924135
museodelcristallo@gmail.com
