Castello di Piovera

About the museum

The castle of Piovera was founded in the 14th century as a fortress to defend the territory, on earlier camps of Roman, Lombard and Carolingian origin. It became part of the Duchy of Milan under the Visconti and the Sforza, was entrusted for two centuries to the Di Mandello family, and in the 16th century, during Spanish rule, became a marquisate. In 1650 it was sold to the Genoese nobleman Francesco Maria Balbi, whose family transformed it into a residence at the end of the 19th century. In 1713 the fief passed to the House of Savoy.

Today the castle belongs to Count Niccolò Calvi di Bergolo, who has opened it to the public since 1972 with art workshops, guided tours and an educational farm. The cultural association Castelpiovera manages visiting activities and events.

The visit includes the 20-hectare biological park, the Museum of Old Crafts with thousands of tools, the Pavilion of Roots with a collection of natural roots, the room of printing and transport in the former stables, the count's atelier and the historic cellars, created in the former prisons. Inside, the collections occupy part of the first floor and all of the second, while the guided visit passes through the kitchens, bedrooms and reception rooms of the ground and noble floors.

Highlights

• Guided visit to the salons, bedrooms and kitchens of the castle
• Museum of Old Crafts with thousands of tools
• Pavilion of Roots, a collection of natural roots
• 20-hectare biological park
• Historic cellars created in the former prisons
• Educational farm and workshops for schools

Permanent exhibitions

• Collezioni del castello e visita guidata – Furnished rooms, bedrooms and reception salons with period objects and costumes, plus collections of the Balbi marquises and the Calvi di Bergolo counts on the first and second floors.
• Museo degli antichi mestieri – Thousands of tools and implements linked to traditional men's and women's crafts.
• Padiglione delle radici – Collection of natural roots gathered by Count Niccolò Calvi di Bergolo and his father-in-law Giuseppe Orsini.

Founded

1972

Operated by

Associazione Culturale Castelpiovera

Visitors per year

approx. 5,628

Admission & discounts

The basic ticket “Tra Cultura e Natura” (Between Culture and Nature, €10 for adults) includes the park, the Museum of Old Crafts, the root collection, the gallery in the old stables and the exhibition cellars. The prices shown apply to the autumn 2026 Sundays and include the temporary exhibition held in the cellars. Tickets online and on site.

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

The exhibition cellars are accessible only by stairs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The castle offers art workshops, sensory and play routes, activities on old crafts and an educational farm for schools, as well as events for families.

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

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The castle hosts weddings and corporate and private events; accommodation in the castle is also available.

Plan your visit