MuT - Museo della Tonnara di Stintino
About This Museum
This isn't your typical stuffy museum; it's a beautifully raw and modern space entirely dedicated to the heart and soul of Stintino—the ancient tradition of tuna fishing. You walk in and are immediately surrounded by the scent of old wood and salt, with massive, weathered anchors and enormous glass jars that once held tuna roe setting the scene. It feels less like a gallery and more like stepping directly into the story of the tonnara, the communal net-fishing system that defined this town for generations. They've masterfully preserved everything from the harpoons used in the 'mattanza,' the final harvest, to intricate scale models of the fishing boats themselves.
Collection Highlights
The centerpiece is a stunningly restored 'leudo,' a traditional Sardinian sailing vessel, right in the middle of the main hall. Don't miss the walls covered in black-and-white photographs of the 'tonnarotti' fishermen with their weathered faces, or the collection of vibrant ex-voto paintings offered by families for safe returns from sea.
Visitor Information
It's surprisingly engaging even if you're not a history buff, and you can easily see everything in an hour or so. Afterwards, you absolutely have to wander down to the port to see where the old tonnara factory once stood—it makes the whole museum experience come full circle.
Architecture & Building
Housed in a repurposed early 20th-century warehouse, it retains its original industrial character with high ceilings and exposed brick, but it's been given a clean, contemporary update with lots of glass and steel that lets the artifacts really shine.
Contact & Location
Address: 07040, Isthintini/Stintino, Sassari, Sardigna/Sardegna, Italia
Phone: +39 079 523347
Website: Visit Website
