Museo civico etnografico «Giovanni Podenzana»

About the museum

The museum is one of the oldest sections of the Musei civici (civic museums) of La Spezia, founded in 1873. The collections began alongside natural history material and archaeological finds that emerged during the construction of the Arsenale, and they bear the name of Giovanni Podenzana (1863–1943), who first worked as a preparator and later as curator and technical director of the collections. Over time they were enriched by private donations, including material from Italy as well as from Oceania, Asia and America. They were moved several times, including after the former Convent of the Poor Clares was destroyed in the bombing of 1943.

Since 2005 the museum has been housed in the former oratory of San Bernardino, built in 1455 near the old Porta di Genova, in the heart of the historic centre along Via del Prione. After 1812 the building lost its religious function and was used for meetings of the city council and later by the Pubblica Assistenza (volunteer emergency service).

The permanent display presents material collected in historical Lunigiana from the late 19th century onwards and focuses on several themes: devotion and popular cults, superstition and magical-healing practices, goldwork in the Ligurian tradition, household furnishings, personal items, tools for spinning and domestic weaving, and traditional costume. Since 2020 a European project has brought new, more legible panels and a Braille station at the entrance.

Highlights

• Popular devotion and cults of historical Lunigiana
• Magical-healing practices and ritual objects of protection
• Traditional costumes and tools for spinning and weaving
• Ligurian-tradition goldwork and household furnishings
• Seat in the former 15th-century oratory of San Bernardino
• Braille station and high-legibility panels

Permanent exhibition

• Esposizione permanente – Material from historical Lunigiana on popular devotion, magical-healing practices, Ligurian goldwork, household furnishings, spinning and weaving, and traditional costume.

Operated by

Comune della Spezia

Admission & discounts

The standard ticket gives access to all permanent collections and any temporary exhibitions. Admission is also free for licensed tourist guides, accompanying persons of organised groups, school parties and teachers from the Comune of La Spezia, students of the university centre in La Spezia, ICOM members, journalists, donors and their guests, and holders of the youth card. Cash, cheques, debit cards and credit cards are accepted.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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 conference hall on the ground floor is free of architectural barriers, and the lift and dedicated facilities mean it can also be used by people with mobility difficulties. At the entrance a Braille station presents the museum's contents and layout; the panels have lettering and colours designed for visually impaired visitors.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Together with the Musei civici of La Spezia, the museum offers workshops for children and families, such as “Divertiamoci imparando”, and educational programmes for schools.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the historic centre, in the city's main pedestrian area, near the CAMeC and the permanent exhibition of Agostino Fossati.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The Carpenino room on the ground floor, which is barrier-free, is suitable for meetings, lectures and presentations. It is made available free of charge or for a fee to associations and bodies running initiatives linked to the anthropological, ethnographic and historical sciences. A formal request to the museum manager and a detailed programme are required.

Plan your visit