Tour of the Museum of Traditional Toys of Sardinia.
The Museum of Traditional Toys of Sardinia, located in the small village of Zeppara, the only village in the municipality of Ales (88 km from Cagliari), is housed in a former primary school building and occupies six rooms on one floor of the building, covering an area of about 600 square meters.
The museum holds exhibits from its permanent collection, featuring more than two hundred toys made primarily from natural materials (reeds, wood, rope, cork) or recycled materials (tin, fabric scraps), and also offers a rich program of temporary exhibitions, educational workshops, and related events.
The museum, based on a research project by middle school students from Ales, showcases toys created by both the students themselves and their parents, using materials from the environment. This collection authentically recreates toys from all corners of Sardinia, categorized by themes. The display stands for the exhibits are made from reeds and other natural materials.
The museum features toy weapons, toy vehicles, dolls, as well as moving toys, sound toys that make noises and sounds, toys made in honor of holidays, traps, and other leisure items.
The collection of the Museum of Traditional Toys of Sardinia was established between 1993 and 1996 as a private result of a research project conducted at the public middle school of Ales and coordinated by Professor Nando Cossu with scientific support from the Institute of the History of Folk Traditions of the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy and the University of Cagliari. Students, with the assistance of family members, the school principal, teachers, and staff from A. T. A., created over 200 toys that accurately reproduce toys from regional traditions and which today make up the museum’s collection.
Open every day except Monday, December 24 and 25, January 1, and May 1.
