Museo Borsalino
Museum of Borsalino hats in the historic Palazzo Borsalino in Alessandria: a multimedia route from the founding in 1857 to today.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo Borsalino was opened in 2023 on the initiative of the Municipality of Alessandria and the Fondazione Borsalino. It is housed in Palazzo Borsalino, the monumental entrance building of the Alessandria hat factory from 1888 to 1984, commissioned by the founder Giuseppe Borsalino during a phase of great expansion of the company. The palazzo was remodelled in 1925 by the architect Arnaldo Gardella and internally redeveloped in 2019; it also houses the Dipartimento di Giurisprudenza, Scienze Politiche, Economiche e Sociali dell’Università del Piemonte Orientale.
The route, presented in Italian and English with multimedia stations and educational panels, passes through three thematic areas and tells the story of the brand from 1857 to the present. “Antica Casa” is a multimedia installation on the main milestones of more than 160 years of history; “Manifattura” illustrates the hat-making process, from the small atelier of 1857 to today’s factory; “Galleria” presents the most significant hats in Borsalino history, organised in narrative sections and accompanied by an app with anecdotes, images and videos, which guides visitors through eight thematic areas.
Highlights
- Multimedia route in three areas: Antica Casa, Manifattura and Galleria
- Hats that symbolise Borsalino history since 1857
- Borsalino Museum app with anecdotes, images and videos
- Palazzo Borsalino remodelled by Arnaldo Gardella in 1925
- Founded
- 2023
- Operated by
- Fondazione Borsalino e Comune di Alessandria
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €12 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €10FAI members, people over 65, children aged 12 to 18, students up to 26, groups of at least 15 people |
| Children & teens | –Free admission for children up to 12 accompanied by parents; reduced rate from 12 to 18. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for visitors with disabilities, with one companion. |
| Groups (15+ people) | –Reduced rate for groups of at least 15 people; guided visits, groups and schools on request via the form on the website. |
| Full price, Alessandria residents | €8 |
| Reduced, Alessandria residents | €6 |
Prices do not include advance sales fees for online purchases. The ticket includes a code for the extra content of the Borsalino Museum app. Free admission also for holders of the Abbonamento Musei Piemonte–Valle d’Aosta and for journalists registered in the Albo (register of journalists).
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Stazione ferroviaria di Alessandria · 5-min walk
The museum is in the centre of Alessandria, about a 5-minute walk from the railway station (via viale della Repubblica and piazza Garibaldi) and from the IAT tourist office (via Cavour).
By car
Parking available
Recommended car parks, in order of proximity: piazza Salvator Allende, piazza Garibaldi, piazza della Libertà, the multi-storey car park in via Parma, and the railway station car park (spalto Borgoglio).
Alessandria can be reached via the E25 (A26 Genoa–Gravellona Toce) and the E70 (A21 Turin–Brescia); the museum is about a 5-minute walk from the historic Borsalino boutique at Corso Roma 20.
Get directionsAmenities & 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 |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Online ticket booking is made through the partner Mida Ticket. For guided visits, adult groups and schools, a request form is available on the website. The route is in Italian and English; the Borsalino Museum app guides visitors through the eight thematic areas. |
