Pinacoteca Civica di Savona

About the museum

The museum was founded in 1868, when the Ministry of Public Instruction required the Comune of Savona to gather the works of religious orders suppressed under the laws of 1864. The first works were arranged in some rooms of the Ospedale San Paolo and opened to the public in 1880. A new display was inaugurated in 1901 at Palazzo Pozzobonello; after the Second World War the collections, which had been protected from the bombing, returned to Savona, and they were reorganised in 1962. After a temporary arrangement at the Fortezza del Priamàr, since 2003 the picture gallery has had its permanent home in Palazzo Gavotti.

The palace, built on medieval foundations and remodelled at the end of the 16th century in line with its Renaissance layout, was a noble residence. It was the seat of Savona's town hall between 1861 and 1934 and, until 1985, of the civic library. It has a large entrance hall, a grand staircase and elegant rooms.

The route unfolds over two floors and documents the artistic development of Savona and Liguria from the 14th to the 20th century: large Renaissance polyptychs, wooden crucifixes and marble reliefs linked to the patronage of the two popes from Savona, Sixtus IV and Julius II; then the masters of Genoese Baroque and artists from Savona such as Bartolomeo Guidobono, Giovanni Agostino and Carlo Giuseppe Ratti and Giuseppe Frascheri. The bequest of Egidio Ercoli leads into the 20th century, and to the Milena Milani and Carlo Cardazzo Collection, with works by Fontana, Capogrossi, Picasso, Mirò, Magritte, De Chirico, Dubuffet, Twombly and Man Ray.

Highlights

• Renaissance polyptychs and wooden crucifixes from the age of the Savonese popes Sixtus IV and Julius II
• Masters of Ligurian Baroque: Carlone, Borzone and Domenico Piola
• Egidio Ercoli Collection with works by Mafai, Sironi and Sughi
• Milena Milani and Carlo Cardazzo Collection with Fontana, Picasso, Mirò, Magritte and De Chirico
• Palazzo Gavotti, formerly the seat of Savona's town hall
• 3D tactile reliefs for blind and visually impaired visitors

Permanent exhibitions

• Collezioni civiche – Painting and sculpture in Liguria and Savona from the 14th to the 20th century, from Renaissance polyptychs to the masters of Genoese Baroque.
• Collezione Milena Milani e Carlo Cardazzo – Italian and international 20th-century works, including Fontana, Capogrossi, Picasso, Mirò, Magritte, De Chirico, Dubuffet and Twombly.

Founded

1868

Operated by

Comune di Savona

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for tourist guides, teachers visiting with a class, ICOM members and journalists.

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

Savona is a Bandiera Lilla (Lilac Flag) municipality. The museum is served by lifts, is accessible to people with disabilities and reduced mobility, and has 3D tactile reliefs designed in particular for blind and visually impaired people.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The TUTTOCCHI project is dedicated to children aged 0 to 6 and their families; the picture gallery also offers workshops for all ages.

Getting there & parking

By car: motorway A10/E80, exit Albisola from the east and exit Savona from the west.

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