Kreativehouse short film unveils Cariparma Foundation's secret baroque library in Busseto
Directed by Mattia Giannattasio, a short film produced by Kreativehouse highlights the Biblioteca di Busseto, which is housed in the 17th-century Palazzo del Monte di Pietà and owned by Fondazione Cariparma. Established in 1537 by Franciscan friars and backed by the Pallavicino marquises, the library originally aimed to offer charitable credit, notably aiding a young Giuseppe Verdi. The film showcases unique artifacts, including the Nuremberg Chronicle (1493) featuring Albrecht Dürer woodcuts, a 16th-century Zodiacus Vitae, works by Giambattista Bodoni, and the Mingardi Collection, which contains Henri Matisse's Jazz and Andy Warhol's 1967 Index Book. The library welcomes visitors for free every second Sunday until December 13, 2026, with guided tours available by reservation, while daily study and borrowing access is also free with registration.
Key facts
- Kreativehouse produced a short film directed by Mattia Giannattasio about the Biblioteca di Busseto.
- The library is owned by Fondazione Cariparma and located in the 17th-century Palazzo del Monte di Pietà in Busseto.
- The Monte di Pietà was founded in 1537 by Franciscan friars with support from the Pallavicino marquises.
- Giuseppe Verdi received a scholarship from the Monte di Pietà to study music in Milan and left his early scores in the library.
- The library holds the Nuremberg Chronicle (1493) with woodcuts by Albrecht Dürer.
- It contains a rare copy of the 16th-century heretical book Zodiacus Vitae.
- Giambattista Bodoni's Oratio Dominica is described as the first font catalog and precursor to Lorem Ipsum.
- The Mingardi Collection includes Henri Matisse's Jazz, Fortunato Depero's bolted book, and Andy Warhol's Index Book with a condom, record, and LSD page.
- The library is open free every second Sunday until December 13, 2026, via the 'Meravigliosa biblioteca' initiative.
- Daily access for study and borrowing is free with registration.
Entities
Artists
- Giuseppe Verdi
- Albrecht Dürer
- Giambattista Bodoni
- Henri Matisse
- Fortunato Depero
- Andy Warhol
- Mattia Giannattasio
Institutions
- Fondazione Cariparma
- Kreativehouse
- Biblioteca di Busseto
- Palazzo del Monte di Pietà
- Monte di Pietà
- Pallavicino
- Mingardi Collection
- Artribune
Locations
- Busseto
- Parma
- Italy
- Roncole
- Milan
- Via Roma, 38