Casa Rossini

About the museum

Gioachino Rossini's birthplace stands on the old via del Duomo, today via Rossini, in Pesaro. The ground floor and first floor date from the fifteenth century, while the two upper floors were added later. In the early decades of the eighteenth century the façade and interiors were renovated. Here the composer was born on 29 February 1792, as recorded by the inscription in a room on the first floor, and he spent his first years with his family. The original layout can still be seen in the arched window shutters, the fireplaces blackened by smoke and some elements of an old kitchen.

In 1892, the centenary of Rossini's birth, the Comune di Pesaro bought the palace and converted it into a museum; in 1904 it was declared a national monument. The exhibited material comes largely from late-nineteenth-century collections. The largest nucleus, of Parisian origin, includes prints, engravings, lithographs and portraits that belonged to Alphonse Hubert Martel, a collector of Rossinian memorabilia. Prints of Rossini's works and of his famous interpreters are displayed, along with a collection of thirty printed portraits in chronological order, a drawing by Gustave Doré showing him on his deathbed, and caricatures, including a statuette by Jean Pierre Dantan.

Since 2015 the house has been completely renovated, with enlarged spaces, a second floor for documents on Rossini's interpreters and works and for thematic exhibitions, and extensive use of multimedia technology: an audio and video room, touch screens with digitised autograph scores and letters, and listening stations. Thanks to the collaboration with the Fondazione Rossini, autograph letters and scores and original librettos are also on display.

Highlights

• Room where Rossini was born, on the first floor
• Prints, portraits and caricatures of the composer and his interpreters
• Collection of thirty printed portraits of Rossini
• Documents, letters and autograph scores (with the Fondazione Rossini)
• Audio and video room and touch screens with digitised scores
• Shop dedicated to the “Swan” of Pesaro

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso permanente di Casa Rossini – Birth room, prints and portraits of the composer, documents and autograph scores, audio and video room with touch screens and listening stations.

Founded

1892

Operated by

Comune di Pesaro (Pesaro Musei)

Visitors per year

approx. 14,571

Admission & discounts

Prices valid from July 2026. Free admission also for ICOM members, journalists with press card, students of the Conservatorio “G. Rossini” and holders of the Carta Famiglia of the Comune di Pesaro. Discounts also for holders of a ticket to the Rossini Opera Festival, the Museo Diocesano di Pesaro or the Museo Nazionale Rossini.

Accessibility

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

The house has aids for blind visitors (texts in Braille, raised-line panels, audio guides and tactile exploration of some works) and for deaf visitors (video guides in Italian Sign Language, LIS).

Kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The Pesaro Musei circuit offers educational activities for schools and families.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

On the ground floor is the shop dedicated to the “Swan” of Pesaro, with CDs, DVDs, publications, merchandise and ceramics by local producers.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit