The Bagpipe Museum of Scapoli: a journey into the musical tradition of Molise

In the heart of Molise, nestled among majestic mountains and immersed in the serene beauty of a captivating landscape, lies the village of Scapoli. This small gem is internationally known as the “Capital of the Bagpipe”, where the passion for this ancient musical instrument is not merely a heritage but a true way of life that permeates every aspect of local culture. The place that most embodies and preserves this invaluable cultural richness is undoubtedly the International Bagpipe Museum “P.T. Cocco”. Founded with the noble aim of protecting and promoting the priceless heritage linked to the bagpipe, the museum stands as a beacon — an essential point of reference not only for lovers of folk music but for anyone wishing to immerse themselves in a history woven with craftsmanship, ancestral sounds that resonate deep within the soul, and a profound bond with the land.

The collections of the Bagpipe Museum

The exhibition path inside the Bagpipe Museum is a fascinating journey that unfolds through various sections, each revealing a unique and surprising aspect of this ancient instrument. The collection of bagpipes forms the heart of the museum, allowing visitors to admire examples from different eras, regions, and types. From the oldest, most rudimentary instruments evoking echoes of distant pasts, to the more elaborate and modern ones, visitors can witness the evolution of the instrument’s construction, exploring regional variations not only from Molise but from other parts of Italy and around the world where similar instruments have found a home. The ingenious innovations introduced by master craftsmen over the centuries are clearly visible, and every bagpipe on display tells its own story — often deeply connected to the family of the musician or artisan who created it.

Alongside the bagpipes, the museum features a wide range of other traditional musical instruments from rural and pastoral life. Visitors can see ciaramelle (a type of reed instrument), often played in harmony with bagpipes, as well as cane flutes, accordions, and other tools that accompanied daily life, festivals, and community rituals. This section provides a broader context, allowing one to understand the bagpipe within the larger framework of traditional folk music.

A significant part of the museum is dedicated to the art of bagpipe making. Through displays of traditional tools such as files, chisels, drills, molds, and the high-quality materials used — woods like maple, pear, and cherry, along with carefully treated animal skins for the airbag — visitors can appreciate the mastery and patience required to bring these complex instruments to life.

The museum is further enriched by a collection of vintage photographs and historical documents depicting bagpipe players and moments of rural life in which music played a central role. These are not mere records but vivid snapshots of a living tradition. Ancient musical scores and sound recordings offer additional depth, allowing visitors to hear and feel the evolution of this music through time.

To make the experience even more engaging, the museum also includes multimedia sections and listening areas, where visitors can enjoy traditional pieces performed on bagpipes, appreciating the instrument’s distinctive sound and its many melodic variations across regions. Finally, the museum pays heartfelt tribute to Pietro Tenerezza Cocco, a symbolic figure in Scapoli’s bagpipe tradition. Through his tireless dedication and research, Cocco was instrumental in bringing international recognition to this unique instrument.

Address: Via Santa Maria, 1, Scapoli (IS)

Opening hours:

• Monday: 09:30 – 12:30
• Tuesday: 09:30 – 12:30
• Wednesday: 09:30 – 12:30
• Thursday: 09:30 – 12:30
• Friday: 09:30 – 12:30 and 15:30 – 18:30
• Saturday: 09:30 – 12:30 and 15:30 – 18:30
• Sunday: 09:30 – 12:30 and 15:30 – 18:30

Tickets:

• Full: €3.50
• Reduced: €2.50

Contacts: +39 0865 954143

Website: http://www.benvenutiascapoli.it/il-museo-della-zampogna/

Cover photo credits: Benvenuti a Scapoli