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The exhibition shows the first results of archaeological digs and assays conducted over a fifteen-year period in the area around Gambassi. From the beginning of the 13th century glass production in the Elsa Valley has been documented.

The museum is divided into four sections, which illustrate various aspects of this activity: pre-industrial production techniques, type of glassware, the composition and use of raw materials, social and economic aspects of the life of local glassmakers. The exhibition shows the first results of the archaeological and historical research. They permit to reconstruct this glass production craft, no longer existing today, but which characterized the Elsa Valley during the past centuries, and enjoyed renown far outside the territory.

Section I. The history of glass in Italy The panels introduce the history of glass production in Italy from the proto history until the 16th century. Special attention is reserved to glass production in Tuscany and the Elsa Valley in the late middle Ages. In first section glass wastes and ceramic fragments from production sites are visible.

Section II. Technology of pre-industrial glass It concerns the technological aspects of glass production: raw materials, furnaces, tools, and the way of producing glass objects. A three dimensional panel gives a synthesis of the whole glass production process. Here are exposed raw material, tools, crucibles, parts of furnaces, glass wastes and glass vessels produced in the glass factories of Gambassi between the 14th and 16th century, which came to light in recent archaeological excavations.

Section III. Daily life on the production sites. The objects and food wastes found in the excavations testify the social and economical level of the glass blowers and their families between the 14th and 16th century. A panel concerns Becuccio Bicchieraio a wealthy glass blower who worked in Florence and commissioned Andrea del Sarto to make an altar piece for the monastery of the saints Lorenzo and Onofrio at Gambassi. Here you can see: objects from the excavations of Germagnana and Gambassi, Via delle Campane and Gambassi, Piazza del Castello.

Section IV. The project Spada-Lay: glass production along the Via Francigena. The municipality of Gambassi commissioned the project in order to continue research and to divulge its results in a didactical way. It consists of: - Routes along the glass production sites; - Arrangement of an archaeological park and reconstruction of the 14th century glass factory of Germagnana; - Documentation Centre for the technology and the production of pre-industrial glass. Gambassi Terme - via Volterrana 31 Visiting hours: Sundays and public holidays: 4p.m. - 6p.m. Working days: openings by prior appointment.

For more information visit

• http://www.comune.gambassi-terme.fi.it/