Soncino, Print museum

The Print Museum of Soncino (Cremona) was officially opened in 1988, in the House of the Printers (Casa degli Stampatori), with the aim of highlighting the presence in town of one of the oldest printing houses in Europe, which was already present in the second half of the 15th century. The most important items on display in the museum are the set of items dedicated to the family of Jewish printers, who produced the first Jewish Bible complete of vowels and consonants in Soncino in 1488. A wing of the museum is dedicated to printing and etching machines, from mobile printing types to the graver, from the press to experimental etching procedures. The museum is completed by temporary exhibitions dedicated to important etchers, small publishing or ex-libris collections. Practical exercises of printing with the press, etching courses and teaching labs are also organized. The Museum is located within the beautiful framework of the medieval village, which is still encircled by walls and defended by the 15th century Sforza Fortress.