Museo didattico della Pietra di Padula

The Museum introduces to the different stages of stone extraction ,carving and transformation. Equipments and working tools are exhibited, including examples of those used in ancient times. There is  a special section with didactic purposes for kids and another section on food production with a flour mill replica.

An art event “ I giorni della pietra” (The stone days) takes place every year where the public can assist to the sculpture creation process, and see how art is created. Some of the artifacts are nowadays  exhibited in the alleys of the historic center. The event is part of a program that aims to promote the ancient craft of working the Padula stone, the main construction material used in the Padula Charterhouse.

Studies carried out on this material have revealed that the distinctive circular patterns visible within its structure are the result of the fossilization of ancient ammonites, marine organisms that lived millions of years ago. Research has also shown that the area now occupied by Padula was, in very remote times, covered by a warm, shallow sea.

These discoveries give the stone of Padula not only significant decorative and architectural value – beautifully exemplified by the Charterhouse – but also considerable geological and educational importance.