Antiquarium di Gravellona Toce
Antiquarium with the exhibition “Memorie dal passato” on the excavations of Felice Pattaroni at Pedemonte: settlement and Gallo-Roman necropolis of Gravellona Toce.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Antiquarium of Gravellona Toce hosts the archaeological exhibition “Memorie dal passato”, devoted to the excavations carried out by Felice Pattaroni, a native of Gravellona, at Pedemonte between 1954 and 1959. The investigations brought to light a Gallo-Roman necropolis, used from the 5th century BC to the 4th–5th century AD, and part of a settlement dating from the 1st century BC to the 5th century AD.
The venue had already been used to display the finds from Pedemonte in the 1960s and 1970s. Since 2015, on the initiative of the Comune and with the support of the Compagnia di San Paolo, it has been reconceived as a hub for exhibitions and initiatives promoting local heritage, in collaboration with the competent heritage authority (Soprintendenza) for the provinces of Biella, Novara, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola and Vercelli. The current exhibition opened in 2017 and brings back to Gravellona some of the most precious finds kept at the Museo di Antichità di Torino; it has since been extended and also confirmed for 2026.
The route occupies three rooms and is organised into five thematic sections: personal life, productive and craft activities, trade, food and the table, and the necropolis. The museum is run in collaboration with the Associazione Archeologica Culturale “Felice Pattaroni”, which shares its knowledge of the history of the area. The educational activities offered to schools include interactive visits on trade in the Roman world and on the food of the Romans.
Highlights
- Finds from the Gallo-Roman settlement and necropolis of Pedemonte
- “Memorie dal passato” exhibition in three rooms and five thematic sections
- Video guide on a tablet for deaf visitors
- Free guided tours by reservation
- Interactive educational activities on daily life in ancient Rome
Permanent exhibition
- Memorie dal passato. L'abitato e la necropoli di Pedemonte a Gravellona Toce – Finds from the excavations of Felice Pattaroni (1954–1959) in five sections: personal life, productive activities, trade, food and the table, necropolis.
- Operated by
- Comune di Gravellona Toce, con l'Associazione Archeologica Culturale «F. Pattaroni» ODV
- Visitors per year
- approx. 2,800
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission and free guided tours, by reservation.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
According to the website there are no architectural barriers at the entrance to the Antiquarium. A video guide on a tablet is available in the exhibition for deaf visitors; for groups the presentation can also be shown on a wall screen.
Kids & families
The interactive school visits on trade and food in the Roman world are designed for young people.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours are free and are booked through the Associazione Pattaroni. For schools, interactive visits are offered (“Anche i romani erano in rete: integrazione e globalizzazione” and “Cosa bolle in pentola? Il cibo dei romani”). |
