A privately-owned and run museum located inside the 12th century Church of San Pietro all’Orto in Massa Marittima.

You might think it’s strange to have a museum that only displays antique organs, but these collectors have made it their life’s work to find and display some of the rarest and most beautiful organs ever made in Italy. It’s also the only museum of its kind in the world.

Italian organ makers were considered some of the best in Europe and the stars of this small museum are definitely the rare portative organ from 1686, two organs from 17th century Emiliano and central Italy and a wonderful example of Neapolitan organs from the 17th century.

The museum also documents the evolution of organ technology, style and tastes. It details the history of what was once the ultimate symbol of Western musical culture with beautifully painted pianos, harpsicords and other musical instruments from the 16th century right up to the 20th century.

The recently restored church this museum is housed in is also worth a visit, if only to see the magnificent stained glass windows and fragments of frescoes attributed to Ambrogio Lorenzetti.

Address: Corso Diaz, 28, Massa Marittima

Opening hours:

June / July / August / September: 10am-1pm and 4pm-7pm
Oct/Nov/Dec/15 January: 10,30am-12,30pm and 3pm-6pm
March / April / May: 10am-1pm and 3pm-6pm

Entry price: €4 for adults