For hundreds of years, the walled medieval city of Prato in Tuscany has produced some of the world’s finest fabrics that have become associated with Made In Italy chic.
Located in the converted Campolmi mill, the city’s Museo del Tessuto (Textile Museum) catalogues the history of the textile design and production industry in the heart of Tuscany.
The vast former mill is an excellent example of 19th century industrial architecture: it is a two-storey rectangular building with a courtyard at its centre containing a large pool of water and a 130 foot high brick chimney. Inside, the one-time factory has been sympathetically converted: its old wooden beams have been replaced with futuristic steel and wood trusses, and the boiler room that contained the machinery to drive the steam-powered looms has been preserved.
Prato has been famous for the manufacture of textiles since the 12th century when it made woollen cloth. The museum’s collections reflect the technologies used and materials produced in what has become one of the most important textile manufacturing areas in Europe.
Visitors can see handlooms, spinning wheels and suchlike alongside clothing, religious vestments, accessories, furnishings and even fezes. There are also exquisite examples of embroidery dating as far back as the 15th century together with luxury goods from the Renaissance made from opulent fabrics like damask and velvet.
Where: Museo del Tessuto, Via Puccetti 3, 59100 Prato, Tuscany.
Website: http://www.museodeltessuto.it
The Museo del Tessuto is open 10am to 3pm Tuesday to Thursday, and 10am to 6pm Friday to Sunday.
