If you’re visiting Turin, Italy, going to a museum about money and savings might not be the first thing on your mind. However, the Museo del Risparmio advertises itself as the #1 financial literacy museum in the world, and its exhibits were certainly interesting and informative. Read on for everything you need to know before you go.
What is the Museo del Risparmio?
The museum literally translates to the “Museum of Saving,” but it talks about so much more. The entire point is to educate people about money and financial literacy in a friendly, engaging way. In fact, it’s an initiative of the Intesa Sanpaolo, Italy’s largest bank. Inside the museum, you’ll learn about everything related to money. Starting with interactive rooms with videos about the history of money and an economic overview of the world, you’ll move through time until you get to the present, in which you learn about stocks and investing. Beyond that, there are several rooms filled with various VR, gamified learning, and interactive experiences related to money and financial literacy.
How much does it cost?
At the time of writing, the Museo del Risparmio costs eight euros for a normal ticket, six euros for a reduced ticket (65+ and groups of 15-25 people), and four euros for schools and people under 18. There is also a special family price. Holders of the Abbonamento Musei card get in for free. Entrance is FREE on the first Saturday every month.
They have lockers for larger bags. It was also pretty warm, which was nice because I went on a cold day!
Where is it?
The museum is located slightly to the left of the Palazzo Reale in City Center. Specifically, it is at the intersection between Via Giuseppe Barbaroux and Via San Francesco D’Assisi. If you are arriving by tram, it is conveniently located next to the Monte di Pieta’ stop, which houses lines 3, 4, and 16. Nearby attractions include Palazzo Madama, Palazzo Reale, and the MAO.
When is it open?
It is open Wednesday through Monday (closed Tuesday) from 10 am to 7 pm.
How long should I spend there?
I would aim for around an hour. It’s not a huge museum, but it depends on how much you interact with all of the videos, gamified learning, and experiences available. I spent around 45 minutes to an hour there, but I could have easily stayed longer.
Who is it for?
This is a great question. Apple Maps says that it’s a kids’ museum, so I was a little hesitant to go in during a solo trip. The museum’s website says that it’s for a diverse audience. The animated ant guides and some of the gamification certainly make it seem like it’s more for kids. However, a lot of the subject matter (history of money, investing, etc.) is easily geared toward adults. When I went, I saw primarily older adults, but I know that students go as well.
The museum is primarily in Italian, but it offers many subtitles and translations for certain parts in English. If you don’t speak Italian, I’d say you could still enjoy yourself. If you’re learning Italian as a foreign language, this is a great opportunity to practice!
My thoughts on the Museo del Risparmio
I went because I thought it was an interesting and quirky concept for a museum and I wanted to see how they did gamified learning. As an educator, I’m always interested to see how people work in gamified learning, especially when it regards a “dry” concept like money. They did a great job! Between the bright graphics for kids, various media through which you can explore and apply what you learn about money, and the games and VR at the end, they make it a unique learning experience. I loved how they tried to make it relevant and engaging for all visitors. It would definitely be a great field trip!
During my visit, I definitely learned more about money and financial history, both from the US and European perspectives. I also loved the room of piggy banks at the end. Overall, the Museo del Risparmio is a museum that I’d recommend visiting for those who are interested in history, finance, or gameified learning, especially if you have the abbonamento musei.
Image by angelo luca iannaccone from Pixabay
