Civico museo archeologico di Bergamo

About the museum

The museum has its origins in May 1561, when the city's Maggior Consiglio (Great Council) set up the “Raccolta di anticaglie” (collection of antiquities), a set of inscriptions to be displayed in the loggia beneath the Palazzo della Ragione. As the collection grew, a dedicated seat was built, which in 1818 however passed to the Ateneo di Scienze, Lettere e Arti (Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts). In 1866 Count Paolo Vimercati Sozzi gave part of his rich collection to the city, and between the 19th and 20th centuries Gaetano Mantovani worked on recovering materials discovered in the province.

The various collections were brought together for the first time at the Rocca; after the requirements imposed by the war, the museum was reinstalled in the 14th-century Palazzo Visconteo della Cittadella, where it still is today, and in 1961–62 it reopened renovated according to modern museum criteria. A new reopening with an updated route took place on 8 June 2023.

The rooms present finds from various places in the province and from the numerous excavations of Città Alta: from stone axes to iron swords, from Celtic bronze ornaments to Lombard gold crosses, from cinerary urns to Roman inscribed slabs, together with ceramics, glass, sculptures and mosaics. Alongside are Greek and Roman statues and a collection of objects from ancient Egypt.

Highlights

• Finds of Celts, Romans and Lombards from the Città Alta excavations
• Lombard gold crosses
• Egyptian collection
• Greek and Roman statues
• Bergomum app with a section for children

Permanent exhibitions

• Archeologia a Bergamo – Finds from prehistory to the Lombard period from the city and the Bergamo area.
• La collezione egizia – Objects from ancient Egypt displayed alongside Greek and Roman statues.

Founded

1561

Operated by

Comune di Bergamo

Visitors per year

approx. 51,909

Admission & discounts

The standard ticket at €3 is also valid for the Museo di Scienze Naturali “Caffi”. Admission is also free for members of the Centro didattico culturale and of the Associazione Amici del Museo Archeologico, and for holders of the Abbonamento Musei Lombardia. Tickets are sold only at the museum ticket office.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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 museum is fully accessible to visitors with reduced mobility and has dedicated toilets.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

In the app and the QR codes there is a children's section with the archaeologist mole, offering audio content and in-depth material. The museum also runs educational programmes and family activities, such as workshops on archaeological themes.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Coat check
• Lockers

Toilets, cloakroom lockers and a refreshment point are at the nearby Museo di Scienze Naturali “Caffi”.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit