Museo Archeologico del Barro – MAB
Archaeological museum of the Parco Monte Barro with finds from the Gothic-period settlement of the Piani di Barra, including the famous hanging crown.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo Archeologico del Barro was founded by the Parco Monte Barro, which manages it, at the end of the excavation campaigns at the Piani di Barra, which concluded in 1999. It is named after Giuseppe Panzeri, former mayor of Galbiate, who promoted the creation of the regional park and was among the first supporters of archaeological research on the mountain. It is located at Eremo, at the top of the road that climbs from Galbiate.
Excavations carried out between 1986 and 1997 uncovered a fortified Gothic-period settlement, founded as a late Roman defensive stronghold and used by the Ostrogoths in the 5th and 6th centuries. The museum holds over 400 objects found in the excavation areas, including its most precious find, the Monte Barro hanging crown, a unique piece found in the Great Building that housed the leader of the settlement.
The exhibition is linked to the park’s archaeological trails: the Piani di Barra area, with a loop path among the remains of the buildings, the stretch of walls with towers near the Eremo, and the medieval fortification of Monte Castelletto. The museum is part of the Sistema Museale della Provincia di Lecco; the ticket is also valid for the Museo Etnografico dell’Alta Brianza.
Highlights
- Finds from the Gothic-period settlement of the Piani di Barra
- Monte Barro hanging crown
- Over 400 objects from the excavations
- Free audio-video guides in four languages
- Link to the archaeological area and park trails
Permanent exhibition
- Collezione archeologica dell'insediamento goto – Over 400 finds from the excavations at the Piani di Barra, including the Monte Barro hanging crown, on a two-floor route.
- Founded
- 1999
- Operated by
- Parco Monte Barro
- Visitors per year
- approx. 1,661
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €2 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €1groups of at least 10 people and children over 5 years old |
| Children & teens | €1free up to age 5 · Free up to age 5; reduced rate for older children. |
| Seniors | freeFree admission for over-65s. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for people with disabilities and their companions. |
Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month, with the possibility of guided tours run by the Associazione Amici dei Musei del Parco Monte Barro.
Free admission also for teachers accompanying school classes, tour guides working in their professional capacity, and ICOM members. The ticket is also valid for the Museo Etnografico dell’Alta Brianza (MEAB) within 30 days of issue.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum spans two floors and has a stairlift that gives wheelchair access also to the basement level. The path to the Piani di Barra archaeological area has a section with improved accessibility, passable with accompanied wheelchairs and strollers, with audio links and tactile stations for blind and partially sighted visitors.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
For schools and groups, archaeology workshops and a large archaeological treasure hunt are offered, which is also suitable for team-building activities.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & 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 |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (IT, EN, FR, DE) |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Audio-video guides in Italian, English, French and German are available free of charge at the entrance; on collection an identity document is requested as a deposit. Guided tours for groups and schools can be booked by writing to the museum or calling +39 366 238 0659. The museum also organises an archaeological treasure hunt for schools and groups. |
