Museo della Stampa. The First Edition of the Divine Comedy
Museo della Stampa of Foligno: where “paper sings”
In Foligno, an unmissable stop is the Museo della Stampa (Printing Museum), located in the charming Palazzo Orfini. This museum offers an intriguing glimpse into the history of paper production and publishing in Foligno, whose roots trace back to the 15th century. Stepping into its halls—once home to one of Italy’s earliest printing houses—means immersing yourself in centuries of history.
The entrance to the museum is through a beautiful Renaissance portal on Via Pertichetti, topped by the inscription "Laborandum Ut Quiescas" (One must toil in order to rest). This phrase, rich in meaning, reflects the spirit of an era marked by innovation, discoveries, and new trades—including the art of printing.
The origins of Foligno’s publishing fortune
The history of printing in Foligno is the result of a fortunate combination of factors. As early as the 13th century, the Menotre Valley was renowned for its numerous paper mills, which provided the raw material for paper production. The real breakthrough, however, came around 1463, when a group of German craftsmen, led by cleric Johannes Numeister, arrived in the city. Numeister, trained at Gutenberg’s school in Mainz, brought with him revolutionary movable type printing techniques.
This printing revolution was supported by two visionary local entrepreneurs: brothers Mariotto and Emiliano Orfini, members of a wealthy family of papal mint masters. Emiliano was also a skilled engraver and medallist. The brothers decided to invest in Numeister’s talent, opening a printing house in their family palace in 1470—the sixth printing press established in Italy at the time.