The Museum of Mediterranean Masks of Mamoiada

Mamoiada is a small town in the Barbagia region, about 15 km from Fonni. We recommend a visit to the Museum of Mediterranean Masks for a cultural journey to discover traditional and other masks.

Starting from the famous local masks Mamuthones and Issohadores, you will see also other forms of masks pertaining to different towns in the Mediterranean, all sharing a common history and origin.

You will then discover that animal fur, the grotesque and zoomorphic wooden facemasks, and the use of bells, which derive from the pastoral world such as in the case of the Mamuthones masks of Mamoiada, the Boes and Merdules masks of Ottana or the Thurpos of Orotelli, are not a prerogative of the Barbagia carnival.

Just look at Rollate, the man–bear of Sappada (BL) who also wears animal fur, a wooden mask and bells. Outside of Italy, you can see how the curious Slovenian Kurent, for example, wears a leather facemask and sheep fur, shaking the cowbells he wears.

The museum itinerary wants to trace the origins the traditional masks, using also interactive and fun means, suitable for children. From the initial multivision room to the halls with mannequins wearing the traditional costumes, ending with the glass cases with the numerous facemasks coming from all over the Mediterranean.

Opening hours of the Masks Museum of Mamoiada

Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 19:00. Closed on Mondays.