Marengo Museum

About the museum

The Marengo Museum is housed in Villa Delavo, a building of the mid-19th century erected by the Alessandria pharmacist Giovanni Antonio Delavo at Spinetta Marengo, on the site where the battle of 14 June 1800 was fought between the troops of Napoleon Bonaparte and the Austrian army. The villa is linked to a park with centuries-old trees covering about 55,000 square metres, which contains the ossuary of the fallen of Marengo and the bust of General Desaix.

The museum tells the story of the Italian campaign of 1800 and the battle, analysing its causes, developments and consequences, in the belief that Bonaparte’s victory was an important step in European history and one of the founding acts of the process of Italian national unification. Alongside the history, the route gives space to the myth of Marengo and its countless representations in painting, literature, music and performance, up to the most recent technologies.

The route, spread over three floors, includes relics, uniforms, weapons, paintings, reproductions and multimedia installations. The entrance is in the modern pyramid, built in 2009, which houses the ticket office, reception and bookshop. The museum is run by the company A.S.M. Costruire Insieme on behalf of the owning bodies; according to the notice published on the official website, it is now closed and the reopening date is not known.

Highlights

• Route on the Italian campaign of 1800 and the battle of Marengo
• Relics, uniforms, weapons and historical paintings
• Modern pyramid at the entrance with reception and bookshop
• Park with centuries-old trees, ossuary and bust of General Desaix
• Routes and workshops for children

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso museale sulla battaglia di Marengo – Account of the Italian campaign of 1800 and the battle of Marengo with relics, uniforms, paintings and reproductions, in the rooms of Villa Delavo.

Operated by

A.S.M. Costruire Insieme (Alessandria)

Visitors per year

approx. 2,277

Admission & discounts

Free admission for journalists registered with the Order of Journalists, holders of the Abbonamento Musei and the Torino + Piemonte Card, group escorts and teachers of classes taking part in workshops. Educational routes for schools €2 per participant. Rates in force before the closure.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• 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 Abbonamento Musei listing describes the museum as accessible to people with motor disabilities.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum route includes routes for children; on Sundays activities for children could be organised.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Bookshop and cloakroom are in the pyramid at the entrance.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The complex offers spaces for events and an auditorium; the site also describes it as a conference centre.

Plan your visit