Museo Borsalino

The Borsalino Museum is a dynamic and innovative space which accompanies visitors on their discovery of the Italian hat culture. An emotional journey which overlays and interlaces many levels: the history of an entrepreneurial dynasty, that of its territory of origin, the artisan tradition which is handed down from generation to generation and, finally, the extraordinary hats which tell the creative dialogue of Borsalino with art, design, fashion and above all, cinema. The museum exhibition is supported by a rich multimedia system, which accompanies visitors for a personalised and highly experiential visit. A series of three themed areas crosses Palazzo Borsalino and unfolds a story which began in 1857 and arrives to the present day. The route begins from Antica Casa, a multimedia installation which goes back over the key stages of the history of the hat factory and deepens its connection with the local area. Manifattura is the name given to the area dedicated to hat production, where an immersive video projection and a series of explanatory artefacts accompany the visitor to discover the techniques and secrets of the artisans of Alessandria. Finally, you arrive at the Gallery section with more than two thousand hats on show, organised in eight narrative routes, for an unequalled experience. The historic collection of Borsalino hats, donated in 1994 by Giovanna Usuelli Borsalino to the City of Alessandria, was enriched by 200 new acquisitions that Fondazione Borsalino has made available to the Museum to increase its attractiveness. The historic windows designed by Ignazio Gardella for the ancient Borsalino Samples Room stand out in the Museum Gallery with a new lighting system. Eighty examples of the collection, selected for their extraordinary value, are enriched by anecdotes, images and videos, accessible through the Borsalino Museum App. The museum route is completed by Borsalino video installations and the cinema: a long love story, Tesori di carta: the advertising posters of the Borsalino collection and All'origine dei Panama Borsalino. OPENING TIMES Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 7 pm (last entry at 5:30 pm). Variations to the opening times during Easter Festivities the Museum remains open at the usual times, including Easter Sunday (Sunday 31 March); it remains closed on Monday 1 April (Easter Monday). Booking is recommended. From 1 March to 1 May 2024, the Borsalino Museum is hosting part of the exhibition "Abbi cura di te, sei un'opera d'arte", with a second exhibition location in Palazzo Cuttica. For more information refer to the dedicated event. Ticket: full €12, reduced 10 €. Free for holders of Piedmont Museum Subscription. For residents in the Municipality of Alessandria: full price €8, reduced €6. Reduced entry: Fai members, over 65s, teenagers from 12-18 years of age, students up to 26 years of age, groups of at least 15 people. Free admission: holders of Piedmont-Valle d'Aosta Museum Subscription, children up to 12 years of age accompanied by parents, Italian and foreign journalists registered in the Order of Journalists, disabled visitors with carer. Free tickets are available exclusively at the cash desk. For more information check museum website. It is possible to request special openings for groups or events on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday by writing to borsalinomuseum.com