The museum holds over 200 ceramic and wooden mortars, representing one of the most comprehensive collections of its kind in Europe.
The building housing the museum, Palazzo Bourbon del Monte, features original frescoes and wooden coffered ceilings.
The collection includes antique 'herbals' or 'herbaria,' which are early printed books featuring hand-colored botanical illustrations.
Exhibits explain the 'Doctrine of Signatures,' a historical medical belief that plants resembling human organs were used to treat those specific parts.
The museum displays authentic antique pharmaceutical preparations, including original glass bottles and labels preserved from centuries past.
The Aboca Museum is located within the historic 16th-century Palazzo Bourbon del Monte in Sansepolcro, Italy. It is dedicated to the history of herbal medicine and the relationship between humans and plants. The exhibits feature an extensive collection of mortars ranging from the 15th to the 19th century, crafted from bronze, stone, and wood. Visitors can view a large collection of rare books detailing the therapeutic properties of plants from the 17th to the 19th century. The museum showcases ancient wax models used for teaching anatomy and pathology in early medical schools. It also illustrates the evolution of pharmaceutical laboratories through historical equipment and tools. The site is owned by Aboca, a healthcare company focused on organic herbal products. Educational displays explain the cultural significance of medicinal plants in human history.
The internal courtyard of Palazzo Bourbon del Monte, featuring Renaissance architecture.
Combine your visit with a walk through the Aboca herbal gardens located nearby.
Check the museum website for temporary botanical art exhibitions before arriving.
Read the provided display placards in detail, as they contain specific botanical history often omitted in general guidebooks.
Don't rush through the library section; it contains the most significant historical documents of the collection.
Open daily, but occasionally closes on certain public holidays; check their official portal for updates on seasonal holiday schedules.
