Accademia Tadini

About the museum

The museum grew out of the project of Count Luigi Tadini, born in Verona in 1745, who, after the death of his son Faustino in the collapse of a wing of the palazzo in Lovere in 1799, devoted himself to collecting works of art and to founding a “Stabilimento dedicato alle belle arti” (an institution dedicated to the fine arts). The palazzo, overlooking Lake Iseo, has housed the gallery since 1829 and is considered the oldest 19th-century museum in Lombardy.

The collection reflects the family's travels and friendships: the meeting with Antonio Canova in Rome in 1794–95 is the origin of the link with the sculptor, whose Stele Tadini the museum holds. The collections include paintings of the Cremasca school, Venetian masterpieces, works bought in Verona, a cabinet of antiquities, a collection of porcelain and one of musical instruments. The complex also includes a historic library and the Accademia di belle arti.

On the second floor the Museo dell'Ottocento (Museum of the 19th Century) tells the story of Lovere and of the Risorgimento, with references to Garibaldi and the Expedition of the Thousand. The exhibition route runs across the first and second floors, which are reached by lift.

Highlights

• Stele Tadini by Antonio Canova in the courtyard chapel
• Paintings by Francesco Hayez and a collection of Venetian and Cremasca painting
• Collection of porcelain and cabinet of antiquities
• Collection of musical instruments
• Museo dell'Ottocento with the history of Lovere in the Risorgimento

Permanent exhibitions

• Galleria dell'Accademia Tadini – Paintings, porcelain, antiquities and musical instruments collected by the Tadini family, with Canova's Stele in the courtyard chapel.
• Museo dell'Ottocento – On the second floor, a route through the history of Lovere in the 19th century and the Risorgimento, with Garibaldi and the Expedition of the Thousand.

Founded

1829

Operated by

Fondazione Accademia di Belle Arti Tadini

Visitors per year

approx. 11,404

Admission & discounts

Prices are published on the opening hours page. Admission is also free for licensed tourist guides, members of the Associazione Amici del Tadini and, on the occasion of their respective holidays, for mothers and fathers. There is also a discount for guests of some hotels in Lovere.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The main entrance has steps, but people with reduced mobility use the entrance on the left and the lift (door 80 cm, car 118×118 cm, Braille buttons), which serves the first and second floors; the rooms can be visited without obstacles. The accessible toilet is on the second floor. The plaster copy of the Stele Tadini allows tactile exploration, with Braille text; the museum's app is designed with high-legibility characters and can also be used by listening. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are admitted. In Piazza Garibaldi there is a space reserved for holders of disabled parking permits. Detailed information is available on the Lombardia Facile website.

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Family ticket with children free up to 18; the museum offers educational projects, school programmes and workshops.

Getting there & parking

From the Via Paglia car park to the entrance it is about 100 metres on foot.

Amenities & dining

In front of the museum, in Piazza Garibaldi, there are 7 paid parking spaces.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit