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In the territory of Borgo Pace, more precisely in the hamlet of Lamoli, the Delio Bischi Museum of Natural Colours offers a fascinating journey into the history of plant pigments and the relationship between humankind and nature. The museum is housed in the cloister of the Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo, a place deeply rooted in tradition: from the 6th century onwards, Benedictine monks safeguarded herbal knowledge and the cultivation of medicinal and dye-producing plants. The itinerary recounts the use of natural colours from antiquity to the early 20th century, when the arrival of synthetic pigments marked their decline.
Today, particularly in light of environmental concerns, this knowledge has regained contemporary relevance. Archival documents, bibliographic materials and herbariums guide visitors in discovering the principal dye plants, such as madder and weld, with special focus on woad (Isatis tinctoria), the "blue gold" that represented a fundamental economic resource for the valley during the Renaissance.
Alongside the exhibition spaces, the museum offers practical experiences through a workshop dedicated to pigment extraction and their application on textiles and other surfaces. Outside, the meadows surrounding the abbey still host dye-plant cultivation, encouraging a slow and mindful visit in harmony with the landscape.
Visits are by appointment only; call 347 860 7585 (Max Guerra).
Via dell'Abbazia, 7, 61040 Lamoli PU, Italy
