Museo archeologico della pietra ollare

About the museum

The museum is in the Palazzo Pretorio of Malesco, a historic building that once housed the magistrate’s court and preserves 16th-century frescoes and an old stone fireplace. The route is one of the sites of the Ecomuseo regionale della pietra ollare e della pietra lavorata, recognised by the Piedmont Region in 2007, and is linked to the Parco Nazionale della Val Grande.

The archaeological section displays finds from prehistory, particularly rich for the Roman and Late Antique periods, coming mainly from the necropolis of Craveggia and other sites in the Val Vigezzo. Among the materials are objects connected with the working of soapstone, fine glassware and silver saucepans made in Campania, dating between the 1st and 4th century AD, which testify to the trade of the area.

The route also includes an old dairy in the basement, with original stone structures and a large fireplace, and a geological section on the second floor devoted to soapstone, marble and the carbonate rocks of the valley.

Highlights

• Finds from the Roman and Late Antique necropolis of Craveggia
• Working of soapstone from the Roman period to today
• Silver saucepans and glassware of the imperial age
• Old dairy in the basement
• Geological section on soapstone and the rocks of the Val Vigezzo
• Palazzo Pretorio with 16th-century frescoes

Permanent exhibitions

• Sezione archeologica – Finds from prehistory to Late Antiquity, with material from the Craveggia necropolis and soapstone objects.
• Antica latteria e sezione geologica – Old dairy with original stone structures and a section on the geology of soapstone, marble and carbonate rocks.

Visitors per year

approx. 800

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for residents of Malesco and for group escorts.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to tourist sources, the palace has no lift.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

By car: A26 motorway towards Gravellona Toce, SS 33 del Sempione to Masera, then SS 337 della Val Vigezzo to Malesco.

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