ART AND CULTURE
TORTONA
Museo delle macchine agricole "Orsi"
It is the former factory of the historical Orsi family that hosts 15 (of 22) models of machinery, mainly tractors, coming from the private collections of Orsi and Berri families. The exposition traces the history of the production of the above mentioned factory, from the origins – to the early 18th century- until the end of the fifties. Specific attention must be paid to the first “hot-head” tractor”, the Orsi model 30 CV, registration number 104, unique exemplar dating back 1927, to the enormous “Anteo” and to the first harvester-thresher. The wide exhibition is enriched with blow-up historical pictures graphically modified together with panels which describe machinery features. One section of the museum is completely dedicated to the history of agriculture, completed with various farm tools. The exhibition (1800 square metre) can also host temporary exhibitions.
Museo Civico of Tortona
Founded in 1903 by the Società per gli studi di Storia, Economia ed Arte in the Tortona region (still present as Società Storica Pro Iulia Dertona), has belonged to the City Council since 1968.
At present, the Museum hosts more than 2000 finds of the local history from prehostory to the Middle Ages. The Roman finds (inscriptions, furnishing, architectural finds, fragments and mosaic floorings) are of great importance since they reflect the influence of the city during the Republican Age (the most ancient Dertona, erected in 120 Before Christ) and during the Imperial Age (when it was renamed Iulia Dertona).
However, the Civic Museum is closed to visitors until restoration works of the building as well as preparation works are completed.
