Colle di Val d’Elsa is a charming town with a population of 20,000, set high above the valley of the river Elsa. It lies along the historic Via Francigena, the medieval route traveled by pilgrims and merchants heading to Rome from Canterbury and other parts of northern Europe.
The main gate of Colle di Val d’Elsa
The Crystal Museum in Colle di Val d’Elsa first opened its doors in 2001 and stands as Italy’s only museum dedicated to crystal. After being temporarily closed, the museum has recently reopened to the public.
Located underground in a former glass furnace of the 19th-century Cristallerie e Vetrerie Schmidt and the historic Boschi glass factory, the museum played a vital role in the economy of Colle di Val d’Elsa from the 1920s until the early 1950s.
Crystal glass museum of Colle di Val d’Elsa
The exhibition begins with fascinating artifacts from the Middle Ages that highlight the work of the ‘gambassini‘, glass artisans present in Colle di Val d’Elsa since at least 1331.
Different sections of the museum trace the history of the local glass industry beginning in 1820, when the first furnace was established. That year, glassmaker Francesco Mathis opened a crystal factory in Piano, close to the church of Sant’Agostino. Eventually, Giovan Battista Schmidt took over, gaining a reputation in Italy for producing high-quality, pure white glass and for his meticulous finishing techniques, which included grinding and carving.
Colle di Val d’Elsa crystal
The discovery of lead crystal in 1963 marked a significant turning point for the town, establishing Colle di Val d’Elsa as the ‘City of Crystal’. Renowned for exquisite craftsmanship, the town produces a remarkable 95% of Italy’s crystal and 15% of the world’s crystal. The museum’s new layout planned for 2024 will focus on the artisans who made this success possible.
More about Colle di Val d’Elsa.
Visiting Colle di Val d’Elsa.
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Author: Anna Maria Baldini
