Civico museo setificio Monti
Industrial museum in a silk mill of 1818 on Lake Como, with original throwing machines, a restored waterwheel and a route on silk technologies and uses.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Around 1818 the silk manufacturer Pietro Monti, who had come to Abbadia from the territories south of Milan, transformed an ancient woollen-cloth fulling mill with an adjoining millrace and waterwheel into a silk mill. In 1869 he extended the complex with a building for rearing silkworms and reeling cocoons, and replaced one of the two circular throwing machines with three rectangular ones, which are still visible. Throwing activity continued until 1934.
After a long period of neglect, in 1978 the Comune di Abbadia Lariana bought the reeling mill and the throwing mill. From 1981 the restoration of the building and of the machinery began, including the large circular throwing machine of 1818, which was put back into operation. The Civico Museo Setificio Monti was inaugurated and opened to the public in 1998.
The route runs through the building of the throwing mill and the courtyard of the complex (the reeling mill today houses a school) and combines the original machines with replicas and donations from other silk mills of the Lake Como area. It illustrates the production technologies and the many uses of silk, from the textile industry to the food, biomedical, construction and art sectors; a textile work by Filippo Biagioli inspired by the legend of the Grigna is also on display.
Highlights
- Large circular throwing machine of 1818 put back into operation
- Three rectangular throwing machines of 1869 and a restored waterwheel
- Throwing mill preserved as a mid-19th-century factory
- Textile work by Filippo Biagioli on the legend of the Grigna
- Virtual tour of the museum and educational route for schools
Permanent exhibition
- Filatoio Monti: percorso museale – Original throwing machines, waterwheel, replicas and donations from other Lake Como silk mills, uses of silk and a textile work by Filippo Biagioli.
- Founded
- 1998
- Operated by
- Comune di Abbadia Lariana
- Visitors per year
- approx. 2,025
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3up to 14 years, over 65s, school classes and groups of at least 15 people, residents of Abbadia Lariana, FAI members, Abbonamento Musei holders |
| Children & teens | €3 |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and their companion. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €3 per personGroups of at least 15 people. |
Free admission also for ICOM members, for the classes of the Istituto Comprensivo of Mandello del Lario and for the nursery school of Abbadia Lariana. Guided visit for schools €3 per person; guided visit with workshop €5 per person.
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 museum has no car park reserved for visitors; for people with disabilities, entry from the inner courtyard can be arranged by telephone.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
Educational workshops for nursery, primary and secondary schools (for example on the life of the silkworm and the work of the reelers) and the section “Giochi per tutti” on the website.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Stazione di Abbadia Lariana
Abbadia Lariana station on the Trenord Lecco–Colico–Sondrio line, less than 10 minutes on foot; a stop on the D20 Lecco–Mandello bus line (Lecco Trasporti) is very close; ferry from the Navigazione Lago di Como pier, with a short walk.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
The museum has no car park reserved for visitors, but there are several car parks nearby.
Also reachable on foot on a walk along the Sentiero del Viandante.
Get directionsAmenities & 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 | Visitors are accompanied by qualified staff. Schools can choose between guided visits and workshops (groups of up to 25 people); a virtual tour of the museum is also available. |
