Carpi: 'More Than Just Bread. Kitchen, Table and Food in the

More Than Just Bread. Kitchen, Table and Food in the Renaissance — Palazzo dei Musei, Carpi

From 28 March 2026 until 10 January 2027 the piano nobile of Palazzo dei Pio hosts the exhibition "More Than Just Bread. Kitchen, Table and Food in the Renaissance", a journey into culinary practices, objects and dining rituals of the Renaissance period.

The exhibition combines historical collections — notably the local graffita ceramics — with immersive installations, sound and scent elements and interactive stations designed to engage visitors on multiple sensory and cultural levels.

What to see

• Table section: reconstructions of a Renaissance dining table with period ceramics, glassware and cutlery and an immersive installation focused on food presentation.
• Kitchen section: cooking tools, fire management and utensils, including a rare 16th-century pastry wheel, with insights into weighing, preparation, cooking and preservation techniques.
• Food and flavors section: sensory stations with scents and sounds to explore bread, cheese, meat, fish, fruit, vegetables and wine, comparing the diets of the wealthy and the poor.

Highlights and interpretation

Three historic gastronomic figures — Bartolomeo Scappi, Cristoforo da Messisbugo and Bartolomeo Sacchi (Platina) — appear as AI-enhanced guides, explaining recipes, presentation and culinary customs of the era.

The exhibition highlights local heritage, especially the extensive graffita ceramic holdings, showing how everyday objects reveal social relations, hierarchies and cultural change.

Activities for schools and families

• Guided tours and educational workshops.
• Children's area with hands-on activities: setting a table, interactive games, videos and sustainability-themed educational paths.
• Interactive installations funded by regional and national cultural programs, which will remain part of the museum's permanent offer after the exhibition ends.

Practical information

• Location: Musei di Palazzo dei Pio, Carpi.
• Opening event: Saturday 28 March 2026, 17:00.
• Dates: 2026-03-28 – 2027-01-10.
• Opening hours: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 10:00–18:00. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10:00–13:00 (by reservation for groups and schools).
• Accessibility: the route is designed for a broad audience and includes sensory stimuli and interactive stations to make the theme accessible even to visitors without prior knowledge.

For booking, school visits and workshop details, consult the museum's official channels or contact the museum's ticket office directly for up-to-date information and reservations.