Palazzo delle Paure

Set in the heart of the city centre in Piazza XX Settembre and overlooking the lakefront promenade, the Palazzo delle Paure (Palace of Fears) is one of Lecco’s most vital cultural hubs. Behind its intriguing, slightly mysterious name lies a story rooted in the city’s administrative past, which has since blossomed into a contemporary temple of art and collective memory.

From fiscal authority to cultural rebirth 

The building we see today was reconstructed in 1916 on the site of a previous custom house dating back to 1905. For decades, it served as the headquarters for the Tax and Customs authorities. It was precisely this role in collecting duties and taxes that led locals to dub it the “Palazzo delle Paure”—a name born from a sense of dread that has now been replaced by the joy of artistic discovery.

Architecturally, the complex is a striking example of the Eclectic Neo-Mediaeval style, harmoniously integrated with an adjacent porticoed building designed by Adriano Gazzari in 1902. The structure rises across four floors, supported by a sturdy rusticated base that lends the building an air of majesty. A defining feature is the rectangular tower, added around 1926, which features an embedded marble coat of arms of the Visconti family (the biscione snake), a symbol of the historical ties between Lecco and the Duchy of Milan.

A journey through art and photography 

Inside, the palace functions as a dynamic gallery. The first floor is dedicated to major temporary exhibitions, which frequently bring internationally renowned masters to Lecco. On the second floor, visitors encounter the Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art, a journey through creative history ranging from 18th-century allegories and Romantic realism to the experimentation of Abstract and Conceptual art.

The galleries showcase works by prominent local figures such as Tino Stefanoni and Alfredo Chiappori, alongside pieces donated by 20th-century Italian masters including Enrico Baj, Giò Pomodoro, Lucio Fontana, and Enrico Castellani. The display is complemented by a selection of works from great post-war photographers like Ugo Mulas and Mario Giacomelli, providing a profound look at the evolution of visual storytelling.

The Mountaineering Museum: Lecco’s mountain identity 

On the third floor, the palace celebrates the region’s true calling: the bond between the people and the peaks. The Lecco Mountaineering Museum (Museo Alpinistico Lecchese) is not merely a display of vintage gear, but an epic narrative of the pioneers and legendary local climbing groups who conquered the world’s highest summits. Through interactive displays and historical artefacts, the museum captures the spirit of a community that has made mountaineering a cornerstone of its identity.

A centre of local memory 

The museum’s cultural value is further enriched by the Si.M.U.L. Phototeca, which houses approximately 4,000 historical photographs and postcards. This vast collection provides a visual record of the changing Larian landscape, the iconic Manzonian sites, and the historical events that shaped the 20th century, serving as an essential resource for preserving local heritage.

Today, the Palazzo delle Paure is an inviting space where the history of the old custom house meets modern creativity and mountain pride, offering visitors a deep understanding of Lecco’s roots.

The Palazzo is now home to Lecco’s Infopoint and Le Vie del Viandante.