Museo Archeologico del Canavese e della Biodiversità
Museum in the former textile factory of Cuorgnè with finds from prehistory to the Middle Ages, a natural history section and the art gallery dedicated to Carlin Bergoglio.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum grows out of a long tradition of archaeological research in the area and tells the story of the Upper Canavese from the arrival of humans to the Middle Ages. It is housed on the second floor of the former Manifattura Tessile of Cuorgnè, a large historic Liberty-style (Art Nouveau) building constructed at the end of the 19th century. Together with the art gallery it occupies about 1,200 square metres.
The archaeological section includes finds partly from the Boira Fusca cave, one of the oldest prehistoric sites in Piedmont (Upper Palaeolithic), which has been turned into an archaeological park run by the museum. It also has Neolithic and Bronze Age material from the large settlements along the Orco stream, and models and dioramas of the daily life of the populations that succeeded one another in the area. The natural history section houses taxidermied animals, the Seren Bernardone ornithological collection with about 500 birds of the Canavese, and an exhibition on the biodiversity of the Alpine meadows.
In the same building the Galleria d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea del Canavese holds a collection of about 200 works donated to the city by the painter, caricaturist and journalist Carlin Bergoglio, co-founder of Tuttosport, and over a hundred paintings and sculptures by the artist and ceramicist Mario Giani, known as Clizia. The museum also offers a library of about 700 volumes, guided tours and educational activities.
Highlights
- Finds from the Boira Fusca cave, a prehistoric site of the Upper Palaeolithic
- Neolithic and Bronze Age materials from the Orco stream area
- Models and dioramas of the life of ancient populations
- Seren Bernardone ornithological collection with about 500 birds
- Art gallery with works by Carlin Bergoglio and Mario Giani (Clizia)
- Liberty-style building of the former Manifattura Tessile
Permanent exhibitions
- Sezione archeologica e naturalistica – Finds from prehistory to the Middle Ages from the Upper Canavese area, with models and dioramas, and a natural history section with taxidermied birds and an exhibition on Alpine biodiversity.
- Galleria d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea del Canavese – Paintings, caricatures and personal objects by Carlin Bergoglio, and the permanent collection of paintings and ceramics by Mario Giani (Clizia).
- Operated by
- CeSMA Formazione & Cultura
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3 |
Full ticket €5, reduced €3. For under-18s the tourist listing does not give any price.
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 museum and the gallery are on the second floor of a historic building and have no architectural barriers.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 2 hrs |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
The museum offers educational workshops and role-playing games for young people aged 6 to 16, as well as guided visits and workshops for schools from primary to upper secondary level.
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 |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The visit lasts about two hours, and a free audio guide app for smartphones is available. Guided visits are held on request, as are visits to the Boira Fusca archaeological park. The multimedia room has a giant screen. |
