Fabriano. Museum of Paper and Watermark
The Fabriano Paper and Watermark Museum is housed in the former Dominican convent. The museum preserves the centuries-old tradition of papermaking that makes Fabriano a unique city in Europe. Inside, there is a faithful reproduction of the medieval fulling mill used for handmade paper. The collection also includes a significant collection of ancient and modern watermarks: during the guided tour, in addition to watching a video on the history of paper, you can watch a demonstration of handmade papermaking by master papermakers. A medieval paper mill has been reconstructed on site, where you can observe the entire production cycle. The rags, cleaned by the "stracciarola," are soaked in the "maceratoio" and reduced to paper pulp by the action of hydraulic piles with multiple hammers. By immersing a special sieve in the "vat" where the paste has been transferred, and shaking it to drain the water, the paste is shaped into sheets, which are then placed on felt and pressed in a press. After drying, the sheets are immersed in a bath of animal gelatin, a process called sizing, which makes them impermeable to ink. Once dried and pressed again, the sheets are ready for use. The museum bookstore offers a wide range of artisanal products made from handmade paper and bound in natural leather. Educational workshops, some lasting several days, are available upon reservation.
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