Museo Casa Besta

About the museum

The Casa Besta in the village center of Brusio was built as a farmhouse. Two noble families from the neighboring Valtellina later converted it into a stately residence with Baroque decoration; carved paneling, stucco work and painted ceilings still recall that era. Toward the end of the 19th century the house passed to the municipality of Brusio, which housed its administration here from the second half of the 19th century until 1962.

After a comprehensive restoration, which also incorporated an attached farm building, the Kulturzentrum Brusio opened in 2000. It combines the local museum, the municipal library, the municipal archive and the documentation center of the Società Storica Valposchiavo; two halls and a garden are available for events.

The museum was newly set up by 2026. The focus is now on Brusio's location on the national border: since the beginning of the 19th century a state border has separated the Poschiavo Valley from the Valtellina, yet it remained permeable. Smuggling, wine trade, fruit and vegetable growing and a dense network of border shops became the economic foundation of the village. In addition, the house continues to show areas on agriculture and crafts, as well as a collection of historical musical instruments.

Highlights

• Newly designed exhibition on life on the border (2026)
• Smuggling, wine trade, tobacco and border shops
• Manor house with carvings, stucco and painted ceilings
• Room with historical musical instruments
• Cultural center with library and municipal archive

Permanent exhibitions

• Leben an der Grenze – The exhibition, newly set up in 2026, tells how smuggling, wine and tobacco trade, fruit and vegetable growing and the border shops shaped the village between the Poschiavo Valley and the Valtellina.
• Landwirtschaft und Handwerk – Tools and objects show the agricultural work and traditional crafts of Brusio.
• Historische Musikinstrumente – A room of its own is dedicated to a collection of old musical instruments.

Founded

2000

Operated by

Gemeinde Brusio (Commissione Casa Besta)

Admission & discounts

With the Valposchiavo Plus guest card, admission is free during the weekly opening hours.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Casa Besta is in the village center of Brusio, near the Brusio Spiral Viaduct of the Bernina Railway and the Crotti di Brusio.

Amenities & dining

The house also contains the municipal library, the municipal archive and the documentation center of the Società Storica Valposchiavo.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Two halls and the garden behind the house are available for cultural and other events; reservations are coordinated by the Commissione Casa Besta of the municipality of Brusio.

Plan your visit