Museo della Ceramica-Torre di Porta Romana
The 13th-century Porta Romana is the only survivor of the six identical defensive towers that guarded Gubbio's entrances. Its private owners are serious history buffs who have restored the gate tower and set up an eclectic but worthy ceramics museum inside. The museum's most valuable installation is a collection of more than 250 majolica pieces spanning local production from 1500 to 1950. In the central display case are two Maestro Giorgio plates signed and dated 1530, another one attributed to him, and eight pieces by his son and workshop. (The city itself owns only one of Maestro Giorgio's works.)
The old guard tower above is equipped with lances, crossbows, axes, and a 19th-century suit of armor. The owners are inordinately proud of their chastity belt collection, and preserve an odd crossbowlike sling with which nobles once stoned birds. The gaping hole in the floor was defensive, used to pour boiling water down on attackers -- hot oil, Hollywood siege scenes notwithstanding, was much too expensive to waste in this manner.
The 13th-century Porta Romana is the only survivor of the six identical defensive towers that guarded Gubbio's entrances. Its private owners are serious history buffs who have restored the gate tower and set up an eclectic but worthy ceramics museum inside. The museum's most valuable installation is a collection of more than 250 majolica pieces spanning local production from 1500 to 1950. In the central display case are two Maestro Giorgio plates signed and dated 1530, another one attributed to him, and eight pieces by his son and workshop. (The city itself owns only one of Maestro Giorgio's works.)
The old guard tower above is equipped with lances, crossbows, axes, and a 19th-century suit of armor. The owners are inordinately proud of their chastity belt collection, and preserve an odd crossbowlike sling with which nobles once stoned birds. The gaping hole in the floor was defensive, used to pour boiling water down on attackers -- hot oil, Hollywood siege scenes notwithstanding, was much too expensive to waste in this manner.
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