Tomato Museum: the red gold on display

Can we imagine Italian cuisine without the tomato? It would be absurd. The tomato has always been the beating heart of our culinary tradition — an essential ingredient that gives our flavors and aromas worldwide fame. It’s no surprise, then, that in the province of Parma, the idea was born to create a Tomato Museum: a space entirely devoted to celebrating the “red gold,” its production, and its cultural significance.

The Tomato Museum: what does it mean?

In Collecchio, near Parma, the Tomato Museum is housed within the Corte di Giarola, a former agro-industrial processing center. The choice of location is no coincidence — for decades, this was the site of a thriving tomato-processing factory. What better place, then, to honor the fruit that helped shape the region’s identity?

The curators of the museum have designed a multi-thematic journey that immerses visitors in the story of Italy’s “red gold.” For those curious about how the tomato arrived in Italy, one section retraces its history from the 16th century to the present day. Other areas explore its various uses — from dried and preserved products to sauces, concentrates, and juices — allowing visitors to experience every phase of tomato production and transformation.

The museum also delves into the industrial evolution of tomato processing. Through 14 vintage machines, it traces the path from early proto-industrial methods to today’s sophisticated technology. Visitors can also admire over a hundred vintage tins, relics that not only contained tomato sauce and pulp but also shaped the collective imagination of generations.

Beyond machinery and production, the museum highlights the entrepreneurs and innovators who helped make tomato processing a pillar of Italian excellence. Advertising campaigns, artworks, and cultural references reveal how the tomato became both a popular and elite icon, influencing artists and media alike.

Divided into seven sections, the Tomato Museum brings together the historical, industrial, artisanal, and artistic essence of Italy’s red gold.

The Tomato: between history and the identity of a land

It may seem unusual to associate the Parma region with the tomato, yet nothing could be further from the truth. Parma boasts a long-standing agricultural tradition, and the tomato is deeply woven into its culinary heritage, defining flavors that are both distinctive and irreplaceable.

The museum also recalls the ancient ritual of home-made preserves. Every August, families boiled tomatoes, bottled the pulp in glass jars, and wrapped them carefully in cloth and waxed paper to keep them for the winter months. This tradition, lively and communal, still lives in the memory of many.

Through the Tomato Museum, the people of Parma celebrate this legacy with pride. The tomato — vibrant, flavorful, and nourishing — symbolizes not only sustenance but also the joy and creativity of a region that continues to honor its roots.

In the Tomato Museum, Parma’s cuisine and its most essential ingredient come together to tell the story of an entire territory — a story of color, flavor, and identity.

For more information, visit the official website.

Cover photo: Parma Welcome