Permanent exhibition of ancient crafts

The exhibition of ancient crafts represents, through the display of specific work tools, the testimony of the crafts practiced by Ernesto Gennaro Cecconi during his life.

Born in Montaione on January 24, 1899, Ernesto Gennaro Cecconi started the blacksmith's profession from a young age, and since his works were particularly appreciated he was driven to improve himself in this job.

So - using the anvil as a support - by beating and modeling the metals as he pleased, his inspiration was immediately noticed by the citizens of Montaione, so much so that there were many jobs (both public and private) that were commissioned to him.

With his works he embellished the Palazzo Comunale (where you can still admire the chandeliers and railings of the stairs), the water well that was once in the center of Piazza della Chiesa, today Piazza della Repubblica, and many other places also outside the Montaionese territory.

Returning from the war (the 1st world war; he was in fact one of the "boys of '99, who went to war at the young age of 19) as a whimsical craftsman and also a little artist, Ernesto Gennaro Cecconi, he also learned the art of the shoemaker: took the shapes of the foot and listening to the customer's needs, proceeded with the processing of the leather by wrapping it on wooden forms and then fixing it with nails to the sole.

Ernesto Gennaro Cecconi also held the role of mayor of Montaione from 1948 to 1951.

Visiting the exhibition of ancient crafts is like stepping into the past, in the places we visited with our grandparents and where our eyes were lost among dozens of objects of which we hardly guessed the use.
These places preserve a legacy made of sacrifices and effort, which today, in the face of rampant consumerism, must not be forgotten, as they represent the true sense and meaning of life.

A few steps from the Mostra degli Antesti Mestieri, turning in "Vicolo della Rosa", you can see, on the wall, two interesting reproductions representing a "Madonna with child" and a "Franciscan cartouche".

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Opening hours and visits

The exhibition of ancient crafts is located in Via Cresci, 37 and is open on Friday morning from 10 to 12 and on Sunday afternoon from 17 to 19. Free admission.

Getting there

Other things you can visit in Montaione

Discover the secrets of Montaione through its artistic and cultural heritage riddled with churches and castles in a wonderful journey into our history.

Jerusalem of San Vivaldo

The Holy Mount or Jerusalem of San Vivaldo is a place of great historical, artistic and cultural heritage. It includes a series of religious buildings including the Monastery and the Church dedicated to San Vivaldo and some chapels, whose layout reproduces on a small scale the Palestine Jerusalem of the fifteenth century.

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Church of San Regolo

The Church of San Regolo – a remarkable example of Romanesque architecture in Tuscany dating back to the 13th or 14th centuries – overlooks onto the Piazza della Repubblica in the heart of the historical center of Montaione.

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Civic Museum

Located inside the Palazzo Pretorio, the Civic Museum tells the history of the territory of Montaione through archaeological, paleontological, mineral and fossil findings recovered in the surroundings of Montaione.

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Permanent exhibition of ancient crafts

Through the exhibition of a collection of iron crafts and footwear tools that belonged to Ernesto Gennaro Cecconi, this exhibition represents an interesting journey to rediscover the craftsmanship of the past.

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Church of St. Joseph and Lucia

This small church dedicated to Saints Joseph and Lucia is also called the “Church of the Nuns” because it is annexed to a 16th century former monastery.

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Roman Cistern

The Roman cistern is an ancient stone artifact dating back to Roman times (around III century B.C.) which was used as a water reservoire with a capacity of about 200,000 liters.

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Sanctuary of Pietrina

Situated on the peak of a rock from which you can admire the beautiful landscape that extends to the hill of Volterra, the Sanctuary of Pietrina is a small church famous for a painting representing the “Madonna with Child”.

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Church of St. Floriano

Located in the village of Castelfalfi, the Church of San Floriano, which is accessed through a staircase, is a remarkable example of Romanesque architecture in Tuscany.

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Castle of Vignale

The Castle of Vignale is located halfway down a hill that can only be reached on foot or by bicycle. Although today you can only admire the remains of this ancient castle it is easy to imagine the history of this place once disputed among the most noble Tuscan families.

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