Casa Spallanzani
Birthplace of the naturalist Lazzaro Spallanzani in Scandiano, a national monument with a permanent display of scientific instruments; free visits by appointment.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Casa Spallanzani is the building in Scandiano where the naturalist Lazzaro Spallanzani was born on 12 January 1729, where he lived for a long time and carried out his first scientific experiments. It was declared a national monument in 1939. The palazzo faces onto Via Magati and shows late Baroque 18th-century features on its façade, such as windows with wide frames, brick balustrades, and upper-floor windows surmounted by rich cornices.
The interior keeps its 16th-century plan, with two symmetrical wings around the inner courtyard, joined by loggias and by a monumental 18th-century staircase with three flights, with a double order of loggias, masonry piers, round arches and decorated parapets. On the second floor six rooms housed the scientist's natural history museum. After his death its collection was bought by the city of Reggio Emilia and is today kept in the Palazzo dei Musei in Reggio Emilia. During the restorations of 1994 three medieval capitals were discovered, bearing an unusual coat of arms: a beast's paw holding three carnations.
Today the building houses municipal offices, the Centro Studi Lazzaro Spallanzani and the study centre dedicated to Matteo Maria Boiardo. There is a permanent exhibition of scientific instruments entitled “Lazzaro Spallanzani e la respirabilità dell'aria alla fine del Settecento” (Lazzaro Spallanzani and the Breathability of Air at the End of the 18th Century).
Highlights
- Birthplace of Lazzaro Spallanzani, a national monument
- Three-flight Baroque staircase with a double order of loggias
- Permanent exhibition of scientific instruments on the breathability of air
- Medieval capitals with a coat of arms showing a beast's paw holding three carnations
- Free admission by appointment
Permanent exhibition
- Lazzaro Spallanzani e la respirabilità dell'aria alla fine del Settecento – Permanent exhibition of scientific instruments linked to the naturalist's studies on air.
- Founded
- 1750
- Operated by
- Comune di Scandiano
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission.
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 regional catalogue indicates access for people with motor disabilities.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
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 and educational workshops by reservation through the Centro Studi Spallanzani. |
