The Umbrella Museum in Gignese, near Stresa, was founded by Igino Ambrosiani, who also founded the Alpine Gardens. It first opened in 1939 on the top floor of the primary (elementary) school, contained a great selection of exhibits and showed Ambrosiani's passion for his home town.

In 1976 the museum moved to its current site. Thanks to the local council and the Friends of the Museum Association the collection is was housed in a purpose built building which viewed from the top is in the shape of three umbrellas opened out next to each other.

The ground floor has some 150 examples of parasols and umbrellas showing the change in fashion from the 19th century to the present day.

The first floor is a history of the umbrella makers, showing their life story: born into poor families, sent away for apprenticeships, setting up on their own and making a living, marrying and having children, returning to Gignese and bringing money to their home town.

The museum tells of the 170-180 umbrella making "dynasties" from 52 towns and villages around Gignese and how members of those families, the so-called "pioneers", took the business further afield in Italy, then to Europe and even to South America.

There is also an explanation of "Tarusc" which was the umbrella makers own dialect which allowed them to talk among themselves.

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Practical Info

The Umbrella Museum is open from 1st April to 30th September. It is open everyday except Monday. If a bank holiday falls on a Monday the museum will open. Opening hours are 10.00 - 12.00 and 15.00 - 18.00.

Entrance costs € 2.50.

You can reach Gignese by car or by public bus.

The bus timetables are available at www.vcoinbus.it.

www.gignese.it/museo

(in Italian only)