Museo Mille Miglia

About the museum

The idea of a museum devoted to the “Freccia Rossa” (Red Arrow) was pursued by the Associazione Museo Auto storiche Brescia, founded in December 1996 by Brescian entrepreneurs who were friends of Auto storiche Brescia. The museum opened to the public on 10 November 2004, after the restoration of the monastery complex of Sant'Eufemia, owned by the Comune di Brescia, a building of great historical and architectural value that had long been in a state of decay. The monastery of Santa Eufemia della Fonte dates from 1008.

The museum does not want to be just an archive: it reconstructs a sporting and cultural event that is also part of Italian history. The cars on display are largely lent by private collectors and other museums, including the Mercedes-Benz Museum, with which a collaboration agreement has been signed. They are shown in the exhibition space among sets and scenery that evoke the eras the race went through, from 1927 to 1957.

The historical archive of the race is also kept here, with about 130,000 documents collected by Renzo Castagneto and his staff at the offices of the Automobile Club di Brescia: entry forms, correspondence with teams and car makers, results, press reviews and the “Numeri Unici” (single-issue publications). The material has been digitised and can be consulted at the museum through a search engine.

Highlights

• Historic Mille Miglia cars, including Alfa Romeo 6C and 8C, Ferrari 166 and BMW 328
• Sets and scenery evoking the eras of the race (1927–1957)
• Former Santa Eufemia della Fonte monastery, dating from 1008
• Digital historical archive with about 130,000 documents
• Shop with publications and merchandise, and the La Taverna bar-restaurant

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso museale sulla Mille Miglia (1927–1957) – Historic cars that starred in the race, including Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and BMW, displayed in sets evoking the different eras of the Mille Miglia.

Founded

2004

Operated by

Associazione Museo Auto storiche Brescia

Visitors per year

approx. 18,138

Admission & discounts

ACI members with a valid card: €8 for themselves and for anyone accompanying them. Tickets can also be bought online on MidaTicket.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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

The museum states that it is accessible to people with disabilities. Small dogs are allowed on a lead or in a carrier.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The hamlet of Sant'Eufemia lies east of the municipality of Brescia, along the SS 45 bis “Gardesana Occidentale”. By car: take the Brescia Centro exit from the A4 and A21 motorways, then follow the signs for Sant'Eufemia.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Bar-restaurant La Taverna serving typical Brescian dishes, open Monday to Sunday 11:00–18:00, with evening opening only by reservation and at events. Inside the museum is a large Store with merchandise and publications on the history of the race.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Conference rooms, the square and the portico of the monastery for meetings, conferences, receptions and catering.

Plan your visit