Signed in as
Art museum in a 19th-century palazzo on Corso Venezia: the Etruscan collection engages in dialogue with modern and contemporary art.
October 14, 2026 – January 10, 2027
The exhibition compares the Etruscans and the Veneti in the 1st millennium BC and the role of water in their cults, among river sanctuaries, healing springs and votive offerings in terracotta and bronze. In dialogue with the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia.
October 14, 2026 – January 10, 2027
An in-depth look at water cults in Nuragic Sardinia, with votive bronzes, miniature nuraghi and ceramics from the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Cagliari.
The Fondazione Luigi Rovati was established in 2016 by the Rovati family in memory of Luigi Rovati (1928–2019), doctor, researcher and pharmaceutical entrepreneur, founder of Rottapharm. It works across archaeology, art history and scientific research and is today a non-profit entity of the Terzo settore (Third Sector). The art museum is housed in Palazzo Rovati, at Corso Venezia 52, opposite the Giardini Pubblici.
The present building was commissioned in 1871 by the Prince of Piombino, after the demolition of earlier structures, including a medal factory. It later passed to the widow of the senator Ettore Bocconi and, in 1958, to Giuseppina Rizzoli; in 1960 the Rizzoli family had the interiors renovated.
In 2016 the Foundation entrusted the restoration project to the MCA studio of Mario Cucinella. The listed historic façade was preserved, the floors, ceilings and fittings of the first floor were restored, the garden pavilion, formerly a greenhouse and storeroom, became an exhibition space, and the basement levels were enlarged to create the underground level (piano ipogeo). The route runs over two exhibition floors, from Etruscan art to modern and contemporary art, with the permanent collection “Archeologia contemporanea”. In 2024 the display design received the ADI Compasso d'Oro award.
| Adults | €16 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €12over 65s and students up to 26 years |
| Children & teens | €8free up to age 9 · Young people aged 11 to 18: €8; free admission for children under 10. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities with a companion. |
| Groups | –Groups of 1 to 15 people, 60-minute visit by reservation; museum guide €80 plus the standard ticket per person; external guide with a €5 booking fee plus the standard ticket per person. |
| Families | €30Two adults and two young people aged 11 to 18. |
| Reduced ticket for holders of an ATM transport pass | €11 |
Free admission: Free admission on the first Sunday of every month (Museum Sunday).
Further concessions and free admission for holders of certain partner museum cards, on presentation of the card. The garden is freely accessible.
Lift serving all floors and accessible toilets. Wheelchairs and magnifying glasses available free of charge on request. Accessible parking in front of the museum. Dogs admitted only if they are guide dogs or assistance dogs.
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 9 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €30 · Two adults and two young people aged 11 to 18. |
The Children Room, a space for children and families, opens by reservation on the occasion of events, workshops and dedicated visits, with workshops, readings and creative activities. The changing table is on the first floor. Pushchairs are not admitted into the rooms; two lightweight pushchairs for children from six months are available.
Metro lines M1, M3 and M4 and the suburban rail line (passante ferroviario); trams 1, 9, 19 and 33; buses 61 and 94.
Paid parking
The museum is in Area C (limited traffic zone). The nearest paid car park is Park Majno; BikeMi bike stations are nearby.
Nearby metro stops: Palestro, Porta Venezia, Turati, Repubblica, San Babila and Tricolore.
Get directionsCaffè Bistrot Andrea Aprea with a view of the garden, restaurant on the top floor, shop in the entrance hall. Free lockers at the ticket office; umbrellas must be left at the cloakroom.
The museum has a conference room, a study room and a pavilion in the garden; for special events the contact address is eventi@fondazioneluigirovati.org.
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| Photography | Photographs without flash are permitted for personal use; tripods and telescopic poles are prohibited. Professional filming requires authorisation. |
| Good to know | Free audio guide via app, with location-based content inside the museum; a guide is also available in the Bloomberg Connects app. Group visits are booked by email (prenotazioni@fondazioneluigirovati.org). Pencils and drawing pads are permitted; inks, paints and easels are prohibited. |
