Museo del Bijou

Unique in Italythe Bijou Museum preserves and enhances the extraordinary production of local industries from the end of the 19th century to 1970. Established by the Municipality of Casalmaggiore in 1986, the exhibition is housed in the evocative basement of the 18th-century former College of the Holy Cross, built by the Barnabite Fathers. Here, beautiful vaulted ceilings, terracotta floors and exposed stone walls frame a collection of over 20,000 pieces.

Among ornaments and accessories from the historical local sample collections - such as necklaces, bracelets, rings, brooches, buckles, but also spectacles and devotional medals - the museum recounts a century of history of costume and fashion, from the Victorian era to hippie culture. Along the corridors, the narrative is enriched with vintage machinery, photographs and historical catalogues. The facility also offers a educational workshop for creative activities (accessible to schools, families and persons with disabilities) and guided tours, both available by reservation.

The experience is completed by a’large exhibition hall dedicated to conferences and temporary exhibitions, focused on contemporary costume jewellery, individual artists or major Italian historical brands.