History

Established by the Provincial Government of Pistoia and inaugurated in 1990, the Ecomuseo della Montagna Pistoiese was the first Ecomuseum in Italy; an innovative project, which received a Targa d’Oro award in Parma as the best example of Apennine region enhancement.
Over twenty years it has been developed and extended, reaching a form which is almost final; since November 2011 it is being managed by the Association Ecomuseo della Montagna Pistoiese, based in Gavinana, inside the historical Palazzo Achilli.

In 2015 it was accredited as regional relevance Ecomuseum by the Tuscan Regional Government (Decree no. 3949 of 02/09/2015); every year it has more than 11,000 visitors – school parties, groups and individuals; since 2019 the Ecomuseo is lead manager of SIMOP – Sistema Museale Montagna Pistoiese (the Montagna Pistoiese Museum System).

The Ecomuseo accompanies you at a leisurely pace to discover testimonies and traditions, telling about centuries of human history and work in the Montagna Pistoiese region, where specific environmental and historical factors have affected the economy and culture of its inhabitants.
Ironworks, water mills, ice-houses and an extraordinary naturalistic heritage are waiting for you, to engage you in an authentic vintage dimension, on a continuous journey between present and past.