Arezzo, in Tuscany, is known as one of the cities of gold, for the centuries-old tradition it boasts in the goldsmithing art. Now it has a new museum to honor that tradition. It’s called Museo Oro d’Autore and it opened in June 2022.
Already in Etruscan times the town had craftsmen who were masters in working the precious metal, and even as far back as in ancient Rome and in the Middle Ages, the manufacturing of gold jewelry was the main activity of the area. In the 16th century the first real artisan workshops were established, which, commissioned by the Roman and Florentine princes, created jewels of rare beauty.
But the big turning point came in the 1920s, when the craftsman Carlo Zucchi and the commercial representative Leopoldo Gori founded UnoAerre, the first major goldsmith firm in the zone. From that time on, especially after the Second World War, there was a dizzying growth of such factories, which meant that a real industrial district was formed, which quickly became the most important in its sector in Italy.
This is still the case today, since the industrial center boasts 1,100 industrial concerns that employ ten thousand people, together with the artisan shops of the historic center that attract hundreds of curious tourists every year. What’s more, every year, two highly prestigious events take place in the local exhibition fair center, OroArezzo and Gold Italy, in which not only do goldsmith companies from all over Italy take part, but also buyers from every corner of the world.
In such a context, an exhibition space dedicated to the goldsmith’s art was always inevitable, but the road to today’s museum was a long one.
In fact, it all began at the end of the 80s with the proposal of the Oro d’Autore collection, with the purpose of uniting tradition with contemporary artistic trends. Over the years, world-renowned artists and stylists such as Mario Botta, Dan Friedman and Giò Pomodoro were involved in the project, and we can see the result of this great work today.
Inaugurated last June, under the patronage of the local town council and the Tuscany region, the Gold Museum is located in the emblematic square of Arezzo, Piazza Grande, inside the historic building of the Fraternità dei Laici.
Small but elegant, the itinerary develops over several rooms, welcoming the visitor with the projection of a documentary, information panels on the history of Arezzo’s goldsmithing, and the display of vintage machinery and materials for working gold.
The heart of the exhibition is made up of exquisite pendants, rings, bracelets, necklaces and chains that enchant with the incredible variety of shapes and colors, that bring a sparkle to the eye of the viewer for their splendour.
The museum is open on weekends from 11 to 19 pm, with a modest cost of 5 euros for admission. It’s a gem not to be missed by anyone lucky enough to visit this charming Tuscan town.
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