The Museum of Rural Civilisation in Montalto Pavese: rural roots among wheat, wine and dialect

In the green heart of eastern Oltrepò Pavese, at Villa Illibardi in Montalto Pavese, lies one of the most authentic places of rural memory in the area: the Museum of Rural Civilisation. Founded in 1981 thanks to the active participation of the local population, this museum is not just a collection of objects, but a true living archive of popular culture.

A collective memory cherished by the community

The museum took shape thanks to the spontaneous donations of the inhabitants of Montalto Pavese, who made available tools, utensils and materials related to rural life in the past. It is a museum born from the bottom up, by the will of the village, to preserve a civilisation that was disappearing, but that still shapes the identity of the Oltrepò today.

The museum tour accompanies visitors past agricultural tools, everyday objects, a stone oven for baking bread and testimonies that tell of the work in the fields, the toil and skill of the farming world.

Two peasant souls: between wheat and wine

The exhibition is organised in two thematic sections representing the cornerstones of the local rural economy:

• the first dedicated to the wheat, hay and livestock cycle, with tools for sowing, reaping, haymaking and animal care;
• the second focused on viticulture and wine production, activities that have always characterised the hills of Montalto and the entire Versa Valley.

A complete story that combines agricultural technique, tradition and passion, making visible what would otherwise remain in oral memory.

Dialect as cultural heritage

One of the most fascinating aspects of the museum is the double labelling of the exhibits: each tool is identified with its Italian name and the corresponding dialect term, thus paying homage to the spoken language of the peasant generations. A choice that transforms each room into a veritable linguistic as well as ethnographic laboratory.

This apparently simple detail restores voice and identity to objects, transforming them into instruments of collective narrative.

Useful information for visiting the Museum of Rural Civilisation

• Name: Museum of Rural Civilisation
• Location: Location Villa Illibardi, Montalto Pavese (PV)
• Foundation: 1981
• Openinghours: contact the municipality for information on opening hours and guided tours
• Accessibility: not specified; prior contact recommended for special needs
• How to get there: Montalto Pavese can be reached by car from Broni or Stradella (about 20-25 min). Villa Illibardi is located a short distance from the historic centre.