Palazzo d'Arco
Neoclassical noble palace in Mantua, visitable only with a guide, with furnishings of the Counts d’Arco, the Sala dello Zodiaco, the Palazzina del Falconetto and a natural history museum.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Piazza Carlo d’Arco area had a complex history in the Middle Ages: in the 13th century the Desenzani and then the Tosabezzi, wealthy cloth merchants, lived there, and in 1459 the Torelli family hosted Cardinal Bessarion during the Council of Mantua. In the second half of the 15th century the nearby Palazzo dello Zodiaco was built; it later belonged to Alessandro Gonzaga and, in the early 17th century, to Annibale Chieppio, who had received it from Duke Vincenzo I Gonzaga.
In 1740 the d’Arco family moved into the palace, which in 1783 Giovan Battista Gherardo d’Arco had transformed into its present neoclassical form by the architect Antonio Colonna. In 1872 Francesco Antonio d’Arco extended the building to about 8,000 square metres, while the buildings of the Zodiaco were demolished. After the bombing of the Second World War the palace was restored between 1946 and 1960.
The conversion into a museum was the wish of Giovanna d’Arco Chieppio Ardizzoni, Marchioness Guidi di Bagno, the last descendant of the family, and the palace has been open to the public since 1980. Today the museum is managed by the Fondazione d’Arco, a private body supported by its own resources, grants and donations. The route includes the rooms of the palace, the Palazzina del Falconetto and the Museo di Scienze Naturali.
Highlights
- Sala dello Zodiaco
- Piano nobile rooms with furnishings and collections of the d’Arco family
- Palazzina del Falconetto
- Museo di Scienze Naturali
- Garden and winter garden
- Wardrobe of the Counts d’Arco (“La moda racconta” project)
Permanent exhibitions
- Palazzo d'Arco – Rooms of the piano nobile with furnishings, paintings and collections of the Counts d’Arco, including the Sala dello Zodiaco.
- Palazzina del Falconetto – Historic building in the palace garden, included in the visit route.
- Museo di Scienze Naturali – Natural history and science collections, part of the museum route.
- Founded
- 1784
- Operated by
- Fondazione d'Arco
- Visitors per year
- approx. 17,600
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €12 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €8Special reduced rate for the Sala dello Zodiaco, the garden and the winter garden only |
| Children & teens | €2free up to age 3 · Up to 11 years and schools: €2; ages 12 to 18: €5; free up to 3 years. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission with the card for people with disabilities; companions have the group rate. |
| Students & apprentices | €5Young people aged 12 to 18. |
| Groups (15+ people) | €10 per personGroups of 15 to 25 people, including FAI and TCI members and companions of holders of a disability card. With Supercard Cultura, group visits carry a supplement of €40. |
| Special rate: Sala dello Zodiaco, garden and winter garden | €8 |
| Young people aged 12 to 18 | €5 |
Free admission also for holders of an ICOM card, the Abbonamento Musei Lombardia, the Mantova Sabbioneta Card and Supercard Cultura, licensed tourist guides, press, law enforcement officers, and for two accompanying teachers per class. Online booking is recommended on the museum’s website.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator
- 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 piano nobile can be reached by lift. For visitors with dogs there is the “Dogs & Museum” service.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum is at Piazza Carlo d’Arco 4, in the centre of Mantua.
Get directionsAmenities & 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
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The museum is always visited with a guide; the visit lasts about one hour. The route includes the rooms of Palazzo d’Arco, the Palazzina del Falconetto and the Museo di Scienze Naturali. |
