Isnello Thread Weaving Museum

Flowers and birds, geometric motifs and sacred representations are one of the great riches of the Sicilian artistic and cultural heritage, declined in a version to be rediscovered today, in the marvelous textures of fabrics, sacred vestments, decorations embellished with pearls and gold: we are in Isnello, where is the Wefts of Thread Museum tells visitors a very ancient story, which has its roots in the Middle Ages, that of textile tradition local, inextricably linked to the religious history of the country.

We are in the Metropolitan City of Palermo, about 80 km from the capital: here, in Isnello, stands the Trame del Filo Museum, born precisely to collect the testimonies of a long history, from the Middle Ages to today, thanks to the dedication and competence of the teachers locals, experts and enthusiasts of the sector, who are committed to recovering and passing on a now forgotten knowledge.

Silk, gold, corals and pearls are some of the materials used yesterday, as today, in the creation of textile decorations high level, and are exhibited to the public in Isnello, where theancient textile tradition is still alive, next to the Lace schoolthanks to the Trame del Filo museum.

The structure of the Trame del Filo Museum in Isnello and what to admire inside

Located in the Social Center of Via Impellitteri, the Trame del Filo Museum in Isnello is made up of three sections which, in the various exhibition halls, illustrate the textile tradition of the Palermo area as a whole: the exhibition opens with the exhibition of the oldest of the entire collection, prototypes on which the history of fashion and the textile sector of the island has been based for centuries, also as regards the decoration of sacred vestments; moving on to the Middle Ages, one arrives in the central section of the Museum, where the geometric motifs typical of the decorations of the time are exhibited and finally, fine decorations made with precious materials are exhibited, with original and more modern designs.

In the Museum you can also see ancient working tools and documents that illustrate the history and procedures linked to the local textile tradition.

What to do in the Trame del Filo Museum in Isnello and its surroundings

Visiting the Trame del Filo Museum is one of the ways in which tourists can enter the history of the island, taking a closer look at the customs and traditions of the past; at the same time, for tourists it will be the perfect opportunity to also discover the historical center of Isnello, where there are numerous churches, including the Mother Church of San Nicolò, Castle and Monument to the Fallen. Outside the town, nature is the indomitable one of the hinterland: protected natural areas, preserve and show all their beauty in the Madonie Park, which can be reached in just 23 km of travel.

In the surroundings of Isnello, you can also visit monuments such as theSt George's Abbey, at 9 km, and the village of Gratteri, not far at about 13 km; those who love the sea can easily get to Campofelice di Roccella, just 22 km from the town, to dive into the clear waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

In Sicily you cannot ignore the taste, which is a real constant at the table: the typical dish of Isnello and the Frittedda, based on broad beans, peas, artichokes and wild fennel and every year, in April, an entire Festival, but of course in the village you can also taste all the other dishes of the delicacy Sicilian cooking, from the aubergine caponata to the stuffed leg of lamb. If you prefer fish, try the shrimp and mint salad and the freshest seafood dishes, and then finish off the meal with one of the delicious local desserts.

After discovering all the beauties of Isnello and its surroundings, you can leave for Palermo: only an hour and twenty minutes by car separate you from the incredible beauties of the centre, such as the Palatine Chapel or the Church of San Giovanni degli Eremiti.

How to get to the Wire Weaving Museum

Isnello, in the Metropolitan City of Palermo, can be easily reached both by car and by train.
Who prefers to travel by car, can take the A20 Messina-Buonfornello, taking the exit for Cefalù, just 9 km from the town; who comes on the train, getting off at Cefalù Station, you will find shuttle buses that cover the route to the centre.