An excursion to Carnia can be a source of great and beautiful surprises if you visit Prato Carnico and stop at Pieria, one of its hamlets, where some spaces in the former dairy hosts a special collection within the  Piccolo Museo storico delle macchine per la fotografia e la cinematografia (Small Historical Museum of the machines for photography and cinematography).

Visitors are welcomed and guided by Odi Gonano, a former projectionist at the local cinema and designer of the exhibition project.

It is he who has been collecting unused equipment from cinemas over the years, rummaging through the stalls of the flea markets, or receiving them as private donations.

Every space in the museum is devoted to the time when the images were printed on film, whether it was cinematic or photographic.

Odi tells about when he began as projector, when he used to load the famous “pizzas” onto bulky film projectors, just like those exhibited within the Museum.

Wandering between the shelves one has the sensation of being watched by the lenses of the old cameras, represented by every type of brand and model, as well as reel recorders and projectors that still work.

Just press the switch to hear the rustling of the film as it winds through the machine.

There is even a moviola and the wooden chairs of an old cinema.

It is impossible to resist: I settle down and from here admire the series of old movie posters and historic photos hanging all along the walls.

I feel as though I am traveling back in time, but I'm in Pieria and the visit to the Piccolo Museo storico delle macchine per la fotografia e la cinematografia ends.

A tip: if you are looking for vintage atmospheres and you love cinema, this is the right place.

The visit is free and the Museum is open all week, following a call to Odi, who will be happy to accompa.