Museo Glauco Lombardi

About the museum

The museum grew out of the collecting passion of Glauco Lombardi (1881–1970), who devoted his life to recovering and studying works of art and documents from the Bourbon (1748–1802 and 1847–1859) and Ludovician (1816–1847) periods of the Duchy of Parma. From 1915 to 1943 the collection was displayed in several rooms of the palace at Colorno. A decisive date was 1934, when Lombardi agreed to buy from Count Giovanni Sanvitale the objects that had belonged to Duchess Maria Luigia.

After the Second World War the museum reopened, and in 1961 it was rearranged in the Palazzo di Riserva in Parma. In 1971 it became a foundation named after Lombardi, under the auspices of the Municipality of Parma and the Fondazione Monteparma, which has been its sole supporting body since 2002. A restoration between 1997 and 1999 updated safety and accessibility without altering the display Lombardi had wanted; in 2012 some ground-floor storerooms were converted into spaces for temporary exhibitions.

The route unfolds in a sequence of rooms: Atrio, Salone delle Feste, Sala Dorata, Sala Toschi, Sala Acquerelli, Sala Francesi, Sala Petitot, Sala Affetti and Sala Maria Luigia. On display are portraits of Napoleon and Maria Luigia, the duchess’s personal objects and works from the ducal era. A ducal fortepiano is used for the concert series “Musica al Museo”.

Highlights

• Objects and relics of Maria Luigia d’Asburgo, Duchess of Parma
• Portraits of Napoleon and Maria Luigia
• Historic rooms in the Palazzo di Riserva, from the Salone delle Feste to the Sala Maria Luigia
• Ducal fortepiano used for the “Musica al Museo” concerts
• Tactile 3D reproductions of Canova’s busts of Napoleon and Maria Luigia

Permanent exhibition

• Collezione permanente nel Palazzo di Riserva – Historic rooms with works, furnishings and relics of the Bourbon and Ludovician periods, including the objects of Maria Luigia and the portraits of Napoleon.

Operated by

Fondazione Museo Glauco Lombardi

Admission & discounts

Themed exhibitions on the ground floor are free of charge.

Accessibility

• Partially 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

The 19th-century route is barrier-free; the last two rooms, dedicated to the 18th century, are visible but are reached by three steps. There is a lift for people with disabilities, with Braille buttons. Tactile 3D reproductions of Canova’s busts of Napoleon and Maria Luigia are available. Small dogs are admitted if carried or in a carrier; a dog-sitting service is available by booking.

Kids & families

• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

A baby-changing table and a service for warming bottles are available; pushchairs are allowed.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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