by Nancy Olson
The summer travel season is here with people traveling in pre-pandemic droves. Pen lovers have a couple of brand-new opportunities – one from Montblanc and one from Montegrappa – to add to their must-do lists, whether as side trips when traveling nearby or as destinations all their own.
Montblanc Haus in Hamburg
Adjacent to Montblanc’s headquarters and its renowned pen manufactory in Hamburg, Germany, is the newly opened Montblanc Haus, a museum dedicated to the art of writing.
Bassano del Grappa, Italy
The Montegrappa Experience in Bassano del Grappa, Italy, promises a behind-the scenes glimpse of Montegrappa, its people, and its pens at the historic location the company has called home since 1912. Both venues opened in May and both are easily accessible by plane, train, or car from a nearby city.
The Montblanc Haus
The power of writing and creativity are evident throughout the 3,600-square-meter Montblanc Haus, open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Here glass display cases enshrine a marvelous selection of limited editions and High Artistry pens, and the emblematic Meisterstück collection receives its rightful due via an artful presentation of its evolution over the company’s 116-year history.
Montblanc Haus interior
Thematic galleries include an Autograph Library with 30 handwritten notes spanning time and talent – from Ernest Hemingway to Spike Lee – and visitors may leave their own mark via a digital guestbook. Guests are also invited to experiment with Montblanc pens by writing and mailing a postcard to destinations worldwide.
“Every part of the Haus breathes writing,” says Montblanc CEO Nicolas Baretzki of the three-story, freestanding building engagingly built in the shape of a Montblanc writing instrument box.
Display of pens at Montblanc Haus
Permanent exhibitions offer an extensive archive (visits by appointment), which is the perfect place for a pen devotee to spend an afternoon – or a month – poring over historic pens, advertisements, letters, and other fascinating finds from the past. Temporary exhibitions change twice per year.
Commissioned artworks are also on display including Studio Marianne Guély’s dramatic paper sculpture suspended inside the dome of the museum and Paris-based artist Wendy Andreu’s art fashioned from wool dyed with ink that greets visitors upon their arrival. Even the off-white-walled interior of the Haus makes a statement, acting as counterpoint to the building’s dark exterior to recall Montblanc’s signature colors of black and white.
Montblanc Haus artwork
Visitors may also avail themselves of a series of classes, including calligraphy and creative writing, in the Writing Atelier, and enrichment opportunities for students and young adults are on the summer calendar.
Save some time to enjoy Hamburg, the second-largest city in Germany. The Kunsthalle Hamburg, one of the largest art museums in the country, and the five-year-old Elbphilharmonie concert hall on the Elbe River, are just two of my favorite stops.
Visit montblanc.com/en-us/discover/montblanc-haus/inspire-writing to make reservations for the Montblanc Haus. The pen manufactory next door is also available for touring with prior reservations.
The Montegrappa Experience
The Montegrappa Experience guided tour in Italian or English is available every Wednesday by reservation, commencing at Ca’ Erizzo 41/45. Stops include the Pen Atelier, Montegrappa’s Private Museum, and the onsite flagship boutique.
The Montegrappa Experience
Guests (there’s a limit of ten per tour) are allowed in the atelier, and here they may witness firsthand the effort and skill that goes into the making of each exquisite pen. I visited many years ago before it was a “named” event and I vividly remember how impressed I was as I watched the craftsman at work, pairing new technologies with traditional jewelry and pen-making techniques. I also remember being warmly greeted upon my arrival by a local band playing The Star-Spangled Banner at the behest of then-CEO Gianfranco Aquila, a true visionary in the pen industry.
“For years we have gone to great lengths to emphasize the human element behind our pens,” says Montegrappa CEO Giuseppe Aquila, son of Gianfranco. “The Montegrappa Experience gives guests the opportunity to see it for themselves.”
The Montegrappa Experience
The Private Museum is a memorable treat. Visitors may peruse pens through the ages, including a comprehensive collection of well-known limited editions. An impressive number of vintage Montegrappa pens are also on display, including safety fountain pens from 1912, celluloid fountain pens from the 1930s, and oversized pens from the 1950s.
The Montegrappa Experience
The cost of the 1.5-hour tour is about that of a bottle of ink, and it may be recouped via a voucher available for use at the boutique. The store includes a configurator studio where visitors may design their own pens, a “selfie” station to capture some Montegrappa-made memories, and a full selection of current products.
Be sure to tour the picturesque town of Bassano del Grappa on the banks of the River Brenta. Rich history, great architecture, and amazing food will vie for attention after you’ve had your fill of pens. Hemingway and the Great War Museum is a must, and Venice is just a little over an hour away by car.
Visit montegrappa.com/en/montegrappa-experience for more details and travel information.
Gianfranco Aquila passed away on June 27, 2022. My deepest condolences to the Aquila family for their loss, which will be shared by all who knew him.
You may also enjoy:
The Height Of Fine Writing: On Location With Montblanc Fine Writing Instruments
Montblanc High Artistry Heritage Egyptomania Limited Edition Fountain Pens
Montegrappa David Bowie Blackstar Limited Edition: January 8, A Date To Remember
Where The Pen Is Mightier Than A Valyrian Steel Sword: Montegrappa’s ‘Game Of Thrones’ Set
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I have a lovely Montegrappa which I bought in Dubai 12 years ago . Love it , I will post a picture…..