SCATTERED MUSEUM

Palazzo Massi

MUSEO DIFFUSO

Palazzo
Massi

Palazzo Massi clearly exemplifies the quality of the final expansion of the town’s historic center intra moenia, that is, within the city walls.

Particularly noteworthy are the rusticated stone decorations of the windows and the monumental entrance portal, which indicate that the complex was built around the 16th century. Inside, the layout of the rooms on the main floor recalls noble residences of classical design, with a sequence of rooms arranged around a central hall. On the ground floor, the presence of a carved stone washbasin (possibly dating to the 18th century) in one of the rooms points to areas originally intended for service functions.

The basement level (not open to visitors) contains the ancient oven, spaces once used as stables, and an additional area carved into the rock, whose original function remains uncertain.

At the rear, a monumental terraced garden opens up, separated from the palace by the road known as “Via del Pozzo Vecchio,” a picturesque lane in the historic center of Monterchi.

Today, Palazzo Massi houses the Museum of Scales.

Museo delle Bilance

Where Art Meets Technology

Where Art Meets Technology

The Museum of Scales was born from the passion of collector Velio Ortolani, who donated part of his extraordinary collection of scales and weights—one of the most important in Europe for both variety and number of objects. Its galleries display 160 instruments that span more than six centuries of history, from small Renaissance steelyards fashioned from a sword to large 20th-century industrial weighbridges. Each scale bears witness to a different era and use, combining functionality with artistry and technical ingenuity.

The museum is not only an exhibition space but also an experience. An educational and interactive itinerary guides visitors in discovering trades of the past, such as the customs officer and the money changer, as well as vanished activities like silkworm farming. Younger visitors can follow a dedicated route accompanied by “Staderino,” a friendly character who introduces them to the world of scales through stories and hands-on activities, turning the visit into an engaging and instructive journey through history and curiosity.

Museo delle Bilance

Where Art Meets Technology

The Museum of Scales was born from the passion of collector Velio Ortolani, who donated part of his extraordinary collection of scales and weights—one of the most important in Europe for both variety and number of objects. Its galleries display 160 instruments that span more than six centuries of history, from small Renaissance steelyards fashioned from a sword to large 20th-century industrial weighbridges. Each scale bears witness to a different era and use, combining functionality with artistry and technical ingenuity.

The museum is not only an exhibition space but also an experience. An educational and interactive itinerary guides visitors in discovering trades of the past, such as the customs officer and the money changer, as well as vanished activities like silkworm farming. Younger visitors can follow a dedicated route accompanied by “Staderino,” a friendly character who introduces them to the world of scales through stories and hands-on activities, turning the visit into an engaging and instructive journey through history and curiosity.

Craftsmanship and Creativity

the collection

Velio Ortolani began his remarkable collection of scales in the early 1960s, starting with a single rusty steelyard found among scrap metal. From that discovery grew a lifelong passion that led him to assemble one of the world’s largest collections of scales, steelyards, and weighbridges, alongside ancient keys and locks. His interest focused primarily on iron objects—testaments to the ingenuity and skill of their makers, capable of uniting function, art, and technical intelligence.

Over time, Ortolani also turned his attention to industrial scales and mass-produced models, always selected for their aesthetic quality and historical significance. Each piece in the collection tells a story of labor and artisanal creativity, such as the precious 17th-century French scale with bronze pans and a finely decorated stand, exemplifying the elegance and mastery of a true metal craftsman. Thanks to his tireless work of research and recovery, Velio Ortolani rescued hundreds of objects from oblivion, transforming a personal passion into a cultural heritage of universal value.

 
 

Craftsmanship and Creativity

the collection

Velio Ortolani began his remarkable collection of scales in the early 1960s, starting with a single rusty steelyard found among scrap metal. From that discovery grew a lifelong passion that led him to assemble one of the world’s largest collections of scales, steelyards, and weighbridges, alongside ancient keys and locks. His interest focused primarily on iron objects—testaments to the ingenuity and skill of their makers, capable of uniting function, art, and technical intelligence.

Over time, Ortolani also turned his attention to industrial scales and mass-produced models, always selected for their aesthetic quality and historical significance. Each piece in the collection tells a story of labor and artisanal creativity, such as the precious 17th-century French scale with bronze pans and a finely decorated stand, exemplifying the elegance and mastery of a true metal craftsman. Thanks to his tireless work of research and recovery, Velio Ortolani rescued hundreds of objects from oblivion, transforming a personal passion into a cultural heritage of universal value.