Casa natale di Gaetano Donizetti
Medieval house in the Borgo Canale where Gaetano Donizetti was born in 1797, with original rooms and an audio narrative about the composer's life.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Gaetano Donizetti was born in 1797 in a five-storey medieval building in the Borgo Canale, in Bergamo. The oldest part, the one inhabited by the family, dates from the fourteenth to fifteenth century and keeps its original appearance. The Donizettis lived in the basement, which was originally an open arcade and was later closed off and divided into living and service rooms, with a woodstore, a well and an ice house on one side and a small two-room flat facing the valley.
The house was identified thanks to the research of Ciro Caversazzi, published in 1924. Bought by the Comune di Bergamo in 1925 through a public subscription, it was declared a National Monument in 1926. After years of neglect and residential use until the mid-1960s, the basement was restored and opened to the public for the centenary of the composer's death (1948) and again in 1973.
In 2007 the Comune began restoring the entire building, which led to its full reopening in 2009, with work that made it fully accessible. Management and display are entrusted to the Fondazione Teatro Donizetti. The visit goes through the historic rooms and gives an overview of the composer's life, with references to his teacher Simon Mayr and to the theatre.
Highlights
- Birthplace of Gaetano Donizetti, a five-storey medieval building
- Original rooms in the basement where the family lived
- “Impronte Sonore” audio narrative across the house's three floors
- National Monument since 1926
- Short visit of about 20 minutes
Permanent exhibition
- Visita alla Casa Natale di Gaetano Donizetti – Route through the historic rooms of the building, with an overview of the composer's life and references to his teacher Simon Mayr and the Teatro Donizetti.
- Operated by
- Fondazione Teatro Donizetti
- Visitors per year
- approx. 8,000
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2children up to and including age 10, over-65s, subscribers to the Foundation's seasons and festivals, students at drama and music schools and at the Bergamo Conservatory, people with a certified disability (at least 75%) |
| Children & teens | €2free up to age 5 · Reduced up to and including age 10; free admission up to and including age 5. |
| Seniors | €2Reduced for over-65s. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €2Reduced rate for people with a disability certified by a certificate (at least 75%). |
| Visit with audio tour and device hire (standard) | €5Reduced €4. |
Standard visit €3 (reduced €2); visit with audio tour and device hire €5 (reduced €4). Free admission for children up to and including age 5 and for licensed guides. Only electronic payments are accepted; buying online in advance is recommended. A document proving entitlement to the reduction must be shown on entry.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- 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
The operator's website states that, since the 2009 restoration, the house is fully accessible.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 20 min |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
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
| Audio guide | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The audio narrative “Impronte Sonore” is designed for visitors who use their hearing rather than their sight. It lets you freely choose among the content of the three floors (“La casa dove nacque”, “L'allievo e il maestro”, “Il Teatro Donizetti”) and personalise timing and route. For information call +39 035 416 0618 (Monday–Friday) or +39 035 775 8139 (Sunday). The ticket office e-mail is available Tuesday–Saturday from 16:00 to 20:00. |
