Museo Cesare Mattei – Sezione Vita e Rocchetta

About the museum

The Museo Cesare Mattei was founded in 2019 by the association Gruppo Studi Cesare Mattei to bring together historical material linked to Count Cesare Mattei, the founder of electro-homeopathy, who built the Rocchetta Mattei: documents, books, medicines, castle furnishings, personal objects and photographs. The museum is divided into two sections, housed in different buildings: the Elettromeopatia section at Mulino Cati and the Vita e Rocchetta section at Palazzo Comelli. It is not located at the Rocchetta Mattei.

The Vita e Rocchetta section was opened on 26 July 2020 in Palazzo Comelli, a building with origins in the second half of the 15th century, in the hamlet of Ca' Melati, in Bargi, above Lake Suviana. It presents the Pinacoteca Mattei, with seven oil paintings depicting the Rocchetta, Cesare Mattei and his son Mario Venturoli-Mattei, as well as posters and documents on the count's youthful military and political period.

Among the objects on display are original Moorish-style furniture from the castle, including the piano from the music room and a chandelier; furnishings from the Palazzo Mattei in Bologna; previously unpublished photographs of the Rocchetta, including during its construction; photographic glass plates; and letters, manuscripts and the count's wills. The visit, which must be guided, forms part of the itinerary of Palazzo Comelli, which also includes the Museo Comelli, the picture gallery, the archive and the Museo del Carraio.

Highlights

• Pinacoteca Mattei with seven oil paintings
• Original Moorish-style furniture from the Rocchetta Mattei, including the piano
• Previously unpublished photographs of the Rocchetta during its construction
• Letters, manuscripts and wills of Count Cesare Mattei
• Guided visit on the Palazzo Comelli itinerary

Permanent exhibition

• Cesare Mattei, Mario Venturoli-Mattei e la Rocchetta – Paintings, original furnishings, photographs, letters and documents relating to Count Mattei, his son and the Rocchetta Mattei.

Founded

2019

Operated by

Gruppo Studi Cesare Mattei

Admission & discounts

The association's website gives a price of €6–8 per person for the visit; the guided tour lasts about 90 minutes.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

On the Palazzo Comelli route the information panels have texts in Italian and English and a QR code with videos in LIS (Italian Sign Language); there is a tactile map of the palace and tactile panels with Braille captions in the main rooms.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

The Palazzo Comelli website also offers a section called “Illustri kids” for children.

Getting there & parking

The palace is in the hamlet of Ca' Melati, in the village of Bargi (Camugnano), above Lake Suviana, in the Parco regionale dei Laghi (Lakes Regional Park).

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

There is a bookshop in the Palazzo Comelli complex.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit