Museo Storico della Giostra e dello Spettacolo Popolare

The Museo della Giostra e dello Spettacolo Popolare, located in Bergantino, is a cultural center dedicated to the research and historical documentation of itinerant popular entertainment. The museum traces the evolution of this form of entertainment from its origins in country fairs to the rides found in modern amusement parks. It provides a unique insight into a significant aspect of Italian cultural history.

Location and History

Inaugurated in 1999, the Museo della Giostra e dello Spettacolo Popolare is housed in the Palazzo Strozzi in Bergantino. This town is also the seat of the industrial district of the carousel, making it a fitting location for a museum dedicated to the history of popular entertainment and amusement park rides.

Exhibits at the Museum

The museum's exhibits offer a rich and varied exploration of the history of popular entertainment. Among the items on display are a late nineteenth-century children's carousel, documents from historical and iconographic research on the origins of Bergantino's traveling show, and iconographic material from the National Museum of Folk Arts and Traditions in Rome. These exhibits provide a comprehensive overview of the evolution of popular entertainment in Italy.

Museum Layout

The museum is organized in a chronological and thematic manner, spread over two floors of the Palazzo Strozzi. The ground floor consists of five sections, each dedicated to the theme of the fair and the amusement park. This layout allows visitors to follow the evolution of popular entertainment over time and to explore different aspects of this cultural phenomenon.