Palazzo Belgiojoso

About the museum

The palazzo dates from the early 18th century and was built by the Locatelli family, originally from the Valle Imagna. After many changes of ownership during the 19th century, in 1927 it became the seat of the Musei civici di Lecco.

The entrance is dominated by a large portico, with a lapidarium from the 1930s that gathers remains of the Spanish Forte di Fuentes near Colico, and decorations from demolished or altered late-medieval buildings in Lecco. Four 19th-century medallions with characters from I promessi sposi (The Betrothed) have emerged on the ceiling of the grand staircase, while recent surveys in the piano nobile (main floor) have revealed 18th-century decorations with exotic subjects on the ceilings.

The palazzo now houses the Museo di Storia Naturale, the Museo Archeologico, the Museo Storico and the civic planetarium, inaugurated in 2004. Together they form a historical and scientific centre that traces the economic, social and environmental history of the Lecco area from the Palaeolithic to the present day.

The rooms of the three museums feature the sensory trail “Please touch me!”, designed to make the visit more inclusive, especially for blind and visually impaired people and for children, with objects to touch, tactile and sound installations and captions in Braille.

Highlights

• Archaeological, History and Natural History museums in the same palazzo
• Civic planetarium inaugurated in 2004
• Sensory trail “Please touch me!” with tactile installations
• Lapidarium with remains of the Forte di Fuentes
• 18th-century ceilings with exotic decorations

Permanent exhibitions

• Museo Archeologico – Archaeological evidence of the ancient history of the Lecco area.
• Museo Storico – Route through the history of Lecco and its territory.
• Museo di Storia Naturale – Natural history collections of the Lecco area.

Founded

1927

Operated by

Comune di Lecco – Sistema museale urbano lecchese

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission to the Archaeological, History and Natural History museums is free for everyone. Planetarium: standard ticket €6, reduced ticket €4.

Accessibility

• 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 palazzo is accessible thanks to a large lift; people with reduced mobility can use the barrier-free rear entrance by asking the custodian for assistance. Sensory trail “Please touch me!” with objects and installations to touch, Braille captions, and a kit with audio files and tablets for deaf visitors and their companions.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

The “Please touch me!” trail is also designed for children, with objects to touch.

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.

Plan your visit