Museo Casa D'Erci: A Window into Mugello's Rural Past

Museo Casa D'Erci, located in Grezzano, a small village within Borgo San Lorenzo, is a captivating tribute to Mugello's rural heritage. The museum's origins trace back to 1976 with a humble exhibition of agricultural tools in Luco di Mugello, leading to the formation of the D'Erci Group in 1978, dedicated to preserving the region's farming traditions. The heart of the museum resides in a beautifully restored 16th-century farmhouse. Inside, visitors can explore meticulously recreated environments such as bedrooms, cellars, and kitchens, offering a vivid snapshot of life in centuries past. The exhibits showcase a diverse collection of tools, objects, and documents that illustrate the activities of rural life, including animal husbandry, farming, harvesting, threshing, milling, and pressing. The museum also highlights domestic crafts like spinning, weaving, and laundry, alongside artisanal trades such as carpentry and shoemaking. Beyond the farmhouse, Museo Casa D'Erci features a fascinating naturalistic-historical trail stretching for about 1.5 kilometers. This path allows visitors to discover the native flora of the Tuscan-Romagnolo Apennines, with over 120 plant species identified. Along the trail, reconstructions of charcoal-making processes and wood workshops provide insights into traditional woodland activities. The museum also cultivates various cereals, legumes, and vegetables in the Erci field and features ponies and poultry. Since 2002, the museum has been connected to the Mulino Faini, documenting the history of milling. Open on Sundays and holidays, with Saturday openings from mid-June to mid-September by reservation, Museo Casa D'Erci provides an enriching experience for those seeking to understand the traditions and culture of rural Tuscany.