Città di Castello - Laboratory and Textiles Collection “Tela Umbra”
The “Tela Umbra” Laboratory, founded in 1908 by the baroness Alice Hallgarten and her husband Leopoldo Franchetti, is a unique in the world historic and productive experience.
It is the only laboratory in which products are manufactured by hand using pure line, woven on hand looms of the late 19th century, using original drawings of the medieval and Renaissance times.
Strongly wanted by the Umbria Region and by the City of Città di Castello, the realization of this museum is the living proof of the commitment to a project, whose aim is both to document a craftsmanship in its various aspects and to offer to those who search, in the Umbrian environment, in its history and roots, reasons for a survey and a creative rediscovery, that can also create job opportunities, for the protection of the artistic and cultural values conveyed to us. The Textile Collection is located on the second floor of the ancient Tomassini building, formerly Bourbon del Monte, and stretches for 9 cleverly arranged and orderly rooms.
A new project for the upgrading and extension of the museum is underway, offering the community the opportunity to experience the rooms and the structure of the building, through cultural, artistic and recreational initiatives.
During the visit to the museum you can not help but be fascinated by an intense and lively cultural journey, which comes through prestigious textile design, yarns, vintage looms, lace and various tools for weaving.