Palazzo Belgiojoso

Located in the Castello district, Palazzo Belgiojoso is one of the city’s most significant cultural hubs, offering visitors a multidisciplinary journey ranging from astronomy and archaeology to contemporary history and natural sciences. This monumental late 18th-century architectural complex is not merely a home for museums, but a window into the identity and evolution of the Lecco territory.

A Palace of History and Art

The current building, featuring a characteristic U-shaped layout open towards the garden, was built in the early 18th century by Marquis Giacomo Locatelli on an existing structure. In 1794, it passed to the Belgiojoso d’Este family, who oversaw the expansion of the park under the direction of the Viennese architect Leopoldo Pollack.

Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a wide portico housing a precious lapidarium, featuring remains from the 17th-century Spanish Fort of Fuentes and vestiges of demolished medieval buildings from Lecco. The interiors hold notable artistic surprises, from the grand staircase adorned with medallions of the protagonists of “The Betrothed” (I promessi sposi) to the ceilings of the piano nobile, where recent surveys have revealed refined 18th-century exotic decorations. Since 1927, the palace has served as the prestigious seat of the Civic Museums.

The Museums of Palazzo Belgiojoso

Archaeological Museum

The exhibition route winds through eight rooms preserving the memory of the Lecco province from the Palaeolithic to the Early Middle Ages. Highlights include evidence of Neanderthal presence found in Rovagnate, Celtic grave goods, and remains of the Golasecca culture. Educational panels and reconstructed models, such as a medieval forge and the Piani di Barra mine on Mount Barro, help visitors understand the ancient metallurgical roots of the territory.

Natural History Museum: The Realm of the Lariosaurus

Described as a “Museum of the Museum”, this space allows visitors to rediscover late 19th-century scientific culture through period display cases housing rich collections of zoology, mineralogy, and palaeontology.

The undisputed star of the palaeontology section is the Lariosaurus (Lariosaurus), a find of inestimable scientific value. This aquatic reptile lived approximately 240 million years ago and is considered an important ancestor of the great dinosaurs and a probable progenitor of the plesiosaur. The fossil on display at Palazzo Belgiojoso is the only specimen of its kind found near Lake Como, a discovery that has long sparked fascination and curiosity, making this room a must-see for visitors of all ages.

Historical Museum

This constantly evolving museum preserves documents, weapons, and uniforms that narrate the social and economic transformations of the region. Interestingly, the Historical Museum was founded in 1934 in its original location at the Torre Viscontea before being moved here. The current route features rooms dedicated to the Risorgimento, industrial history, and the Resistance during WWII, utilizing modern multimedia supports and historical film footage.

Civic Planetarium

Located in a renovated wing of the palace, it is considered one of the best facilities of its kind in Italy. Its eight-metre dome reproduces the starry sky visible to the naked eye with remarkable realism. The facility is managed in collaboration with the “DEEP SPACE Lecco” Amateur Astronomers Group and offers a rich programme of projections, lectures, children’s shows, and guided observations.

A Museum for Everyone: “Please Touch Me!”

Palazzo Belgiojoso stands out for its commitment to inclusivity through the sensory path “Please touch me! Through the museum with eyes closed”. In every room, it is possible to interact with the exhibits through touch, exploring materials and techniques supported by Braille labels, tactile models, and an NFC-powered audio kit. This “forbidden not to touch” approach is designed to make the experience engaging for everyone, particularly for children and those with visual impairments.