Today we are going to discover an exhibition space that forms part of our Group and which is situated directly in front of our dyeing house: the Museo Materia. It is a museum that occupies itself with dyeing art, renewable energy, and the environment. It is located in the Val di Bisenzio, in the province of Prato, and its objective is to educate about the strong connection between the area and the history of textiles in Prato.
Museo Materia is not a traditional museum. We prefer to think of it as an informative tool that raises people’s awareness on the topic of the environment, but also the ethics of business, the history of our area, art, and technology.
The architecture of the building also speaks of the history of the Val di Bisenzio, of Prato and of the textile tradition that characterises them. In fact, over the centuries the building that houses our museum has been repurposed, as has been the case with many buildings in our area. It was once a mill with three millstones, a fulling mill, a metalwork, a copperwork and a recycling plant. All these transformations have left visible signs that make the museum truly one of a kind.
We would also like to point out that in the museum there is also a small hydroelectric plant open to the public, a highly interesting sight to visit.
Museo Materia offers two itineraries, one of these is called Confessional and aims to help the visitor reflect on the environment that surrounds them and on how much their contribution is fundamental in combating pollution. The second itinerary is called Augmented Reality, and, thanks to special technologies, it transports the visitor into a medieval fulling mill, a sixteenth century dyeing house, and right up to the present day. As to allow the visitor to have a distinct insight of what has been and what will be.
All the proceeds from the Materia Museum are donated to Spes Docet O.n.l.u.s., a wonderful association to which we are particularly attached, and one whose objective is to help children in need. If you too wish to help you may do so by visiting their website.
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