Ctrl+Alt Museum
Computing and video game museum in the former Ghisio cotton mill in Pavia, with over 1,500 computers, consoles, arcade cabinets and historic technology objects.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Ctrl+Alt Museum grew out of the cultural association comPVter, founded on the initiative of Dino Baldi, Alessio Carmine Scipione and Beppe Leone, with the aim of making the history of technology known without losing sight of the latest innovations.
The venue is a historic complex in Pavia: the former Dionigi Ghisio cotton mill, active until the 1970s and specialised in producing bandages and dressings for the army. Part of the industrial structure has been converted into large spaces with wide windows and ceilings up to 12 metres high, furnished in an industrial loft style with mezzanines. The first pavilion offers over 650 square metres of exhibition space; a second pavilion houses the museum's services, and a third is being renovated, with opening planned for 2026.
The collection comprises more than 1,500 objects, including digital computers, calculating machines, peripherals, historic software, documents, technical drawings and photographs. The route is divided into three sections: Computing, devoted to retrocomputing; Gaming, with historic consoles, video games and arcade cabinets, some of them working and playable; and Objects, which brings together telephones, mass storage, digital cameras, typewriters and mechanical calculators.
The museum also offers courses and visits for schools, summer camps and free CoderDojo sessions for children and young people.
Highlights
- Over 1,500 objects including computers, calculating machines and historic peripherals
- Gaming section with consoles, video games and working arcade cabinets
- Objects section with telephones, mass storage, typewriters and mechanical calculators
- Former Ghisio cotton mill converted into an industrial-loft exhibition space
- Free CoderDojo sessions for young people aged 5 to 14
Permanent exhibitions
- Computing – Retrocomputing section with computers, calculating machines, peripherals and historic software.
- Gaming – Historic consoles, video games and arcade cabinets, largely working and playable by visitors.
- Objects – Telephones, mass storage, digital cameras, typewriters and mechanical calculators.
- Operated by
- Associazione culturale comPVter
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €8Students up to 26 years with a university badge, young people up to 18 and over 65s |
| Children & teens | €8Young people up to 18; age-reduced tickets are issued in the name of the holder. |
| Seniors | €8Over 65 |
| Students & apprentices | €8Up to 26 years, with a university badge |
| Groups (18+ people) | €8 per personSchool groups with a guided tour, minimum 18 people; accompanying teachers do not pay |
| Schools: guided tour and 3-hour workshop | €20Minimum 18 people; booking at +39 0382 477896 |
Tickets can be bought online on the museum's website. Those who become a “ConTRoLALTer” with a voluntary donation receive benefits, including access to an extended collection of 200 machines and objects.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
The museum organises free CoderDojo sessions for children and young people aged 5 to 14, summer camps and courses for schools.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Stazione ferroviaria di Pavia · 5-min walk
5 minutes on foot from Pavia railway station and 7 minutes on foot from the bus station.
By car, about 3 minutes from the end of the motorway link at the Bereguardo exit of the A7 Milan–Genoa motorway.
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 | With the guided tours that can be purchased, access to certain reserved experiences is possible. Guided visits and workshops are available for schools. |
