Museo Internazionale delle Ceramiche

The International Ceramics Museum in Faenza, or simply MIC, is one of the most important art museums in the world when it comes to ceramics. The stunning exhibition features works from various ceramic workshops from the Middle Ages up to the 18th century. There are also collections from the Near East and from the Mediterranean during the Hellenistic period, as well as exhibitions of modern and contemporary ceramic art.

The collections give the visitor a complete overview of Italian and international ceramics, the development of techniques for working ceramics and how art has evolved through figurative art, such as sculpture and design in general. But much of the space is devoted to Faenza's own 'faience ceramics'. The 'Faience of Faenza', also known as 'majolica', was a special technique developed in the late 16th century in which ceramics were painted with a protective layer of milky white paint and then decorated, usually in blue. This type of pottery became an important competitor to Chinese porcelain because of, among other things, its better durability.

The museum is a great experience for the whole family, young and old, and a short visit to the International Ceramics Museum in Faenza will certainly not be regretted.