Museo Clarence Bicknell
Museum-library founded in 1888 by the Englishman Clarence Bicknell, with a herbarium, butterflies, casts of the rock engravings of Monte Bego and a botanical garden.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo Bicknell was founded in 1888 by Clarence Bicknell, an English scholar who settled in Bordighera, to a design by the English architect Clarence Tait and by Giovenale Gastaldi from Sanremo. From the outset it was conceived as a quiet place for study, contemplation and cultural entertainment, open to every guest, and it became the centre of the network of relationships that made Bordighera a place of international encounter. Today it is run by the Istituto Internazionale di Studi Liguri.
The collections reflect Bicknell’s many interests: he was an archaeologist, botanist, naturalist, artist and Esperantist. Among the collections open to visitors are the reference herbarium for the Flora of Bordighera and San Remo, with 54 large bundles and over 13,000 specimens collected between 1886 and 1916; the butterfly collection kept in two original cabinets; the photographic archive; the Esperanto documents; and a display case of prehistoric and Roman finds from the area, with a Roman tomb “alla cappuccina”.
Bicknell systematically studied and catalogued the prehistoric rock engravings of the Valle delle Meraviglie (Valley of Wonders), collected in his 1913 volume on the engravings of the Maritime Alps. The natural history library holds over 300 illustrated volumes, including two editions by Charles Darwin. The garden with two large Ficus macrophylla offers a short botanical trail with labels and illustrated totems.
Highlights
- Herbarium with over 13,000 specimens
- Butterfly collection in original cabinets
- Natural history library with editions of Darwin
- Display case of prehistoric and Roman finds, with a tomb “alla cappuccina”
- Garden with two large Ficus macrophylla
- Founded
- 1888
- Operated by
- Istituto Internazionale di Studi Liguri
- Visitors per year
- approx. 5,500
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3.50 |
Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours on Monday and Saturday at 15:30. The museum includes a library and offers educational activities. |
