Palazzo Achilli

Palazzo Achilli, information point for the Ecomuseum, is named after a rich merchant from Rome, Filippo Achilli, who in the eighteenth century bought the ancient structure, formerly belonging to the Prince of Piombino Ludovico Appiani, then extended and partly restored it.

After renovation work by the Pistoia Provincial Government in 2005, it became a venue for temporary exhibitions to explore various topics related to the history of the Pistoia Mountains area, organising workshops for adults and children on a regular basis.

Palazzo Achilli

Piazzetta Achilli, 7 - Gavinana

OPENING HOURS 2024
From July to September: from Thursday to Sunday, from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and from 3.30 to 6.30 p.m.
From October to December: from Thursday to Sunday, from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and from 3.00 to 6.00 p.m.

For visits during extraordinary opening hours, please call the number +39 0573 638025

Palazzo Achilli also hosts:

A sound archive of oral traditions of the Pistoia Mountains area
painstaking research work has brought back to light hundreds of songs, limericks, nursery rhymes, recorded by the live voice of local informants.

Centro Mario Olla (Mario Olla Center)
inaugurated in April 2013, it makes available documents and testimonies regarding migration from the Pistoia Mountain area in the 19th and 20th century.

Current exhibitions

Year 2024

Railways. From the steam train to the whistle of the Ferrovia Alto Pistoiese (the Pistoia High Railway)
Exhibition dedicated to the history of rail transportation, the Porrettana line and the Pistoia High Railway, by Ecomuseo della Montagna Pistoiese Association, GFP - Gruppo Fermodellistico Pistoiese “La Porrettana,” Architect Roberto Prioreschi
(30th June 2024 - 27th April 2025)

Completed exhibitions

Year 2024

The Spiral of Time. Ammonites and minerals between beauty and utility
Exhibition dedicated to the world of minerals, to learn about their properties and uses in daily life, and ammonites, mysterious fossilized organisms that became extinct 65 million years ago.
The exhibition is organized in collaboration with Gruppo Naturalistico dell'Appennino Pistoiese (GNAP) and Associazione Mineralogica Prato Pistoia (AMPP).
(June 11, 2023 - May 15, 2024)

Autumn Lights
A selection of photographs chronicling the extraordinary beauty of our Apennines in the fall season, edited by Diego Bettini. Among his evocative shots with an enchanted atmosphere, one discovers the essence of autumn in the mountains of the Apennines: landscapes, ridges, forests, panoramas, plants and animals, images in which it is the lights and shadows that paint the subjects in a refined way.
(December 2, 2023 - January 7, 2024)

Year 2023

Everyone tells me that I sing. Tuscan tradition interpreted by Caterina Bueno
A small exhibition itinerary, paying homage to Caterina Bueno, one of the great interpreters of Italian ethnomusicology and the folk memory of the Tuscan countryside and mountains.
Exhibition curated by LetterAppenninica Association and Bueno Cultural Association, in collaboration with Pistoia Mountain Ecomuseum Association.
(Aug. 26-Nov. 19, 2023)

Health and disease. Hospitals, conduit doctors, midwives, and folk medicine in the Pistoian Mountains
The exhibition proposes some aspects of curation in the Pistoia Mountains through photos, documents, and stories of places and figures who were protagonists.
Edited by Nuèter - Gruppo Studi Alta Valle del Reno - Porretta Terme APS, Accademia Lo Scoltenna - Pievepelago, Associazione Storia e Città - Pistoia, in collaboration with Associazione Ecomuseo della Montagna Pistoiese.
(July 9-Nov. 19, 2023)

Year 2022

A mountain of molecules. A rose of essences for culture
Exhibition on the use of thymus derivatives for the preservation of archival and documentary assets.
The initiative is linked to the research project "THEO," funded by Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Pistoia e Pescia, in which CNR, Ecomuseo della Montagna Pistoiese, Azienda Agricola "Le Roncacce" di Corsini Giuseppe, with the collaboration of Gruppo Naturalistico Appennino Pistoiese participated.
(Dec. 17, 2022-Jan. 8, 2023)

Mykes: a Mountain of Mushrooms - 2nd edition
Exhibition of fresh, edible and non-edible specimens, accompanied by scientific texts and photos of microscopic and real-life specimens. Edited by Ecomuseo in collaboration with Associazione MIcologica Pistoiese Odv (A.MI.P.), with the decisive contribution of Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Pistoia e Pescia and Regione Toscana for Sistema Museale Montagna Pistoiese (SiMoP).
(October 29-November 6, 2022)

Apennine Landscapes. Past and present
Historical lithographs and current images showing the changes in our landscape over the past decades, both in terms of urbanism and nature. Organized by Nuèter - Gruppo di Studi Alta Valle del Reno APS Porretta Terme and Accademia lo Scoltenna Pievepelago, in collaboration with Ecomuseo della Montagna Pistoiese.
(July 3-October 30, 2022)

IN FAIRNESS. Painted nature and protected areas of the Pistoia Mountains.
Exhibition of botanical watercolors by Manuela Tonarelli and cartography dedicated to Nature Reserves, areas that are part of the European Natura 2000 Network and the Forest Heritage of the Pistoia Apennines.
(May 21-October 30, 2022)

Year 2021

Mykes: a mountain of Mushrooms
Mycological exhibition curated by Associazione MIcologica Pistoiese OdV (A.MI.P.) in collaboration with Museo Naturalistico Archeologico dell'Appennino Pistoiese (MuNAP) and Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Istituto per la BioEconomia (CNR-IBE).
With the support of the Municipality of San Marcello Piteglio - Department of Culture
(October 23-December 31, 2021)

Year 2020

Precious Presences - 2nd Edition
Photo exhibition dedicated to the fauna of the Pistoia Apennines.
Edited by Arabella's Nature Photo Club
(July 19, 2020 - December 31, 2021)

Along ancient paths with the photos of Angelo Celsi
Photo exhibition to discover the territory of Sambuca Pistoiese, these forgotten mountains of ours
From an idea of Sante Ballerini. Promoting body P.A. Green Cross Pistoia
Under the patronage of the Municipality of Pistoia, the Municipality of Sambuca Pistoiese and the Municipality of San Marcello Piteglio and the contribution of the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Pistoia e Pescia
(October 10-November 1, 2020)

... A 48 happened
Exhibition of memorabilia and documents from the First War of Independence
Edited by National Coordination of Risorgimento Associations, Tuscan Romagna Committee for the Promotion of Risorgimento Values and Domenico Achilli Music and Cultural Association
(July 19-September 27, 2020)

Year 2019

Castel di Mura - Montagna Pistoiese - Tuscany. The art of war: weapons, castles, men
(June 15, 2019 - January 6, 2020)

Leonardo's machines: traces of the genius on the Pistoia Mountains
Display of Leonardo models made by craftsman Valerio Pagliai with workshop "Build the self-supporting bridge designed by the Genius of Vinci!"
(Oct. 13, 2018-Jan. 6, 2020)