Museo dell'Ottocento

About the museum

The museum occupies the Scuola dei Bombardieri (Gunners’ School), a building from the late 16th century inside the Rocca di Bergamo, where the Venetians trained their artillerymen. The Rocca, on the Sant’Eufemia hill, has ancient origins: the current structure was begun in 1331 under John of Luxembourg and completed in 1336 by Azzone Visconti; between 1455 and 1458 the Venetians built the circular tower.

After the Austrian rule (1815–1859), during which some young men from Bergamo were shot in the keep in 1848, the fortress served as a barracks and a prison. The museum route on the Risorgimento, reworked and re-laid out, was moved to the Scuola dei Bombardieri in 1933.

Today the museum is part of the Museo delle storie di Bergamo, the network of seven sites run by the Fondazione Bergamo nella Storia, and tells in particular the story of Garibaldi and the experience of the Mille bergamaschi. From 8 September 2026 the museum rooms are closed for extraordinary maintenance, while the Venetian tower (torrione veneziano), the ramparts and the panoramic terrace of the Rocca remain open to visitors.

Highlights

• Route on the Risorgimento and the Mille bergamaschi
• Housed in the late 16th-century Scuola dei Bombardieri
• Venetian tower, ramparts and panoramic terrace of the Rocca
• View over Città Alta, the plain and the Orobie Prealps
• MSBMuseum multilingual app for the visit

Permanent exhibition

• Il Risorgimento e i Mille bergamaschi – Route in the Scuola dei Bombardieri on Garibaldi and the Risorgimento in Bergamo, currently closed for maintenance.

Founded

2004

Operated by

Fondazione Bergamo nella Storia

Admission & discounts

Prices refer to the ticket for the Venetian tower, ramparts and panoramic terrace, valid while the museum is closed. Free admission also for Amici del Museo storico di Bergamo, ICOM members, journalists, licensed guides and holders of the Abbonamento Musei Lombardia. The ALL IN ONE ticket, valid for 48 hours, allows visits to the seven sites of the Museo delle storie di Bergamo.

Accessibility

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

The building has no solutions for removing architectural barriers. Guide dogs are always admitted; small dogs are admitted only in a carrier.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The Rocca stands on the Sant’Eufemia hill, near the Città Alta funicular.

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