Museo Tattile Statale Omero

The basics

Art lovers of all ages enjoy the rare opportunity to get up close and personal with the world’s great masterpieces—or exact copies, at least—at this museum inside Ancona’s Mole Vanvitelliana. Run your hands over forms ranging from antique sculpture to contemporary design in this collection, which focuses on illustrating how art has evolved over time. Feel the curves of models of Venus de Milo, Michelangelo’s David, and even Bialetti’s iconic Moka stovetop espresso pot, a superstar of modern Italian design.

Things to know before you go

• The museum is a fascinating sensory experience for both sighted visitors and those with impaired sight. Sighted visitors can choose to purchase a blindfold at the museum entrance to experience the works solely through touch.

• Kids especially love the chance to touch works of art and design in this unusual setting, and the museum provides a special guide for young guests.

• Moveable platforms with steps help visitors can explore taller works with their hands.

• There is no snack bar, but you can purchase snacks and drinks from vending machines in the refreshment area.

• Set in a newly renovated section of the historic Mole Vanvitelliana, the museum is completely accessible to wheelchair users and visitors with impaired sight, and offers wheelchairs on loan, a relief map of the museum, and exhibit information in Braille. There is also a quiet room, designed especially for the needs of visitors with autism, and a dedicated exhibit for neurodiverse children.

How to get there

The Museo Tattile Statale Omero is located in the Mole Vanvitelliana, once an 18th-century hospital for people with leprosy. The building is now one of Ancona’s premier cultural centers, set directly on the waterfront. Walk to the museum from the city’s ferry port, train station, or attractions in Ancona’s old town.

When to get there

The museum is open in the morning from Tuesday to Saturday and all day on Sunday, with a brief closure during the midday lunch hour. It is closed on Mondays and most holidays. A visit here is a great way to pass a rainy afternoon when vacationing at the area’s beaches.

Touchable masterpieces at the Museo Tattile Statale Omero

The collection at this touch-focused museum includes replicas of some of the most famous works in the world. Ancient masterpieces like The Discobolus and The Winged Victory of Samothrace and scale models of the Parthenon and Pantheon precede the Renaissance room, filled with Michelangelo copies. The contemporary collection encompasses works by Pistoletto, De Chirico, and Pomodoro, while the examples of Italian design are by superstars like Alessi, Bialetti, Kartell, Olivetti, and Piaggio.