Where: Via Zenzalino Nord, 100 - 40054 Budrio (BO)
The Potato Museum, which opened in the territory of Budrio in 2008, houses a wide range of agricultural machines and tools dedicated to the PDO Potato of Bologna .
The museum collection, which dates back to the early 20th century until the seventies, is divided into three sections dedicated to potato planting machines as well as digging ones, potato harvesting tools and irrigators respectively.
These machines were built by local craftsmen by recycling unused items and materials: a potato planting machine by the Giuliani family of Budrio was built by recycling bicycle wheels, grille and rubber in 1967. There is also a potato planting machine by Mr. Lanzi, a farmer from Budrio, that was powered by a motorcycle engine and a car gear level.
A potato cutting machine by Dino Mioli, which cut potatoes into two, three, four and five parts, is also a part of the museum collection.
Some machines were patented such as a potato planting machine by Checchi and Magli (1976).
Besides machines built locally, there are also German ones like a potato digging machine dating back to 1937. Old people (prisoners of war) are often affected at the sight of this machine because it recalls memories of their imprisonment and hard labour.
Centro di documentazione della patata (Ce-pa) - via Tosarelli, 155 - Villanova di Castenaso (9-13 e 14-17)
Ph. 0039 348 4104318 (Mario Pasquali)
Privately owned museum. Open only on demand
Entrance: free entry
Ph. 0039 051 6053391
URP - Public Relations Office
Address: Piazza Filopanti 11 - 40054 Budrio (BO)
Ph. +39 051 6928241
Fax +39 051 6928285
Toll-free number 800 215255
Opening times:
Monday-Wednesday and Friday 8am-1pm
Thursday 8.30am-1pm, 3pm-6pm
Last update: 11-07-2019