Museo Ludovico Gallarati Scotti

About the museum

The museum occupies the old lemon house of the gardens of Villa Melzi, on Lake Como. In the 1960s Count Lodovico Gallarati Scotti turned the building into an exhibition space to make the artistic and historical heritage of the estate known; the collection was later reorganised and renewed. The Melzi d’Eril and Gallarati Scotti families have looked after this tradition for six generations.

The upper floor, entitled “Arte-Storia-Natura”, tells the story of Francesco Melzi d’Eril, founder of the villa, the planning and construction of the complex, the artists and architects involved, the family heritage and the habit of spending holidays on the lake at Bellagio.

The lower floor houses the Antiquarium, which displays archaeological finds and works of ancient art gathered by the two families. It has two main parts: the antiquities of the Villa Querini di Altichiero, partly purchased around 1830 (Egyptian sculptures, Greek and Etruscan pieces and the medieval Venetian inscription known as the “colonna infame”), and the works inherited by the Gallarati Scotti family in 1929, including Roman sculptures, Greek ceramics and 19th- and early 20th-century copies of ancient works. The private archaeological collection of Augusto Giardini, which is state property, is also on show; it was recovered in 2021 with the support of the association ArteLario.it.

Highlights

• Antiquarium with Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan and Roman sculptures
• Medieval Venetian inscription known as the “colonna infame”
• Augusto Giardini archaeological collection
• Section on Francesco Melzi d’Eril and the construction of the villa
• Visit included in the ticket for the Giardini di Villa Melzi

Permanent exhibitions

• Museo: Arte, Storia, Natura – The upper floor of the lemon house tells the story of Francesco Melzi d’Eril, the construction of the villa, the artists involved and holidaying on the lake.
• Antiquarium – Archaeological finds and works of ancient art collected by the Melzi d’Eril and Gallarati Scotti families, together with the Giardini collection.

Admission & discounts

The combined ticket of €10 covers the garden, the chapel and the museum. No booking is necessary; tickets are bought at the box office at the entrance.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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

Dogs are allowed on a lead, including in the museum and the chapel. The website provides no information on wheelchair accessibility.

Kids & families

Children up to 11 years enter free; the website has a dedicated page for schools.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the former lemon house inside the Giardini di Villa Melzi, in Bellagio, on the lakeside promenade (Lungo Lario Manzoni).

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available

There are no refreshment outlets inside the gardens. Picnics are not allowed, but packed lunches can be eaten on the benches or in the area below the museum, near the toilets.

Events & venue rental

As far as we know, the museum does not rent out spaces for external events.

The gardens cannot be rented for private events, weddings or ceremonies.

Plan your visit