Paper Mill Museum
Museum – Toscolano Maderno, Lake Garda
The Paper Museum
The Paper Museum in Toscolano Maderno is a cultural gem nestled in the Valle delle Cartiere, on the western shore of Lake Garda, within the Parco Alto Garda Bresciano. This fascinating museum is housed in an ancient 15th-century paper mill known as “Maìna Inferiore,” offering visitors a unique glimpse into the rich history of paper production.
Located in the heart of Paper mill Valley – Valle delle Cartiere, a major center of paper production from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, the museum is one of Italy’s most significant industrial archaeology sites. Entering the valley is an unexpected and enchanting experience for those arriving in Toscolano Maderno, a bustling tourist spot on the Brescia side of Lake Garda.
Visitors information
Visitors access the Paper Mill Valley via a single dirt road built in the 19th century. This road branches off from the main lakeside highway near the Toscolano stream bridge. After navigating through tunnels carved into the rock, visitors leave the car at Quattroruote parking and continue on foot or by bicycle through a captivating landscape where lush nature, the ruins of ancient paper mills, and the stream’s waters transport them to a timeless world.
A short, tranquil walk leads to the Paper Museum, a fully restored former paper mill now serving as an exhibition and museum space. Inside, visitors can explore the history of paper production through a fascinating tour that starts in the 16th-century core of the factory. This section features reproduced machinery and equipment characteristic of paper production from the 15th to the 19th century. The tour continues into the spacious upper rooms, which showcase the evolution of production during the early phases of the Industrial Revolution.
The museum also displays artifacts from archaeological excavations in the Valle delle Cartiere and a collection of books printed by Alessandro Paganini, a renowned printer with workshops in Toscolano and Venice in the early 16th century.
With the help of volunteers, many of whom are former workers of the Toscolano paper mill, the museum also produces small batches of handmade paper and offers public demonstrations. These hands-on experiences allow both adults and children to discover the technology and craftsmanship behind a simple sheet of paper, witnessing its gradual formation before their eyes.
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