Museo Civico di Como
The Museo Civico di Como began in 1837 with two rooms and a cabinet of curiosities — scientific instruments, antiquities, and odds collected under a viceroy's decree. Nearly two centuries later it occupies Palazzo Giovio, a late medieval building on Piazza Medaglie d'Oro that the Giovio family once called home and the city of Como eventually bought outright in 1913.
The collections spread across three palazzi, each with its own character: Palazzo Giovio for archaeology and the specialized civic library, Palazzo Olginati for Risorgimento history, and Palazzo Volpi for the pinacoteca. The archaeological rooms pull from deep Larian prehistory through the Roman period, with Egyptian artifacts and Greek vessels donated by Alfonso Garovaglio filling out the picture.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who come back tend to linger in the Egyptian and Greek rooms — Garovaglio's donations have a quiet coherence that rewards a second look. The combined ticket at €6 covers all three palazzi, so hold onto it. The first Sunday of each month admission is free, which means the place draws more locals than usual.
The story behind Museo Civico di Como
The museum's origin traces to an 1837 circular from Archduke Raineri, viceroy of the Lombard-Venetian Kingdom, calling on cities to establish 'technological cabinets.' Como's first display occupied two rooms in the city's Classical Lyceum. A formal commission for collection and conservation followed in 1871, and in 1897 the museum moved into Palazzo Giovio — a building the Giovio family had modified in the 16th century under Benedetto Giovio — which the city then purchased in 1913.
The 20th century brought significant expansion. In 1931, Carlotta Olginati bequeathed Palazzo Olginati to the city, adding a venue now dedicated to Garibaldi-era history. The Pinacoteca Civica opened in Palazzo Volpi in 1989, and Alessandro Volta's instruments had already been moved to their own lakeside temple in 1927.
Good to know
Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00–18:00; closed Mondays and major holidays. A combined ticket (€6) covers all civic museum venues. Plan two to three hours if you intend to visit more than one palazzo. The Tempio Voltiano on the lakefront is a separate building but part of the same civic network.
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What travellers say about Museo Civico di Como
This museum has a broad range of offerings from ancient architectural elements; to religious artifacts; to paintings of local figures; to art of the last 100 years. The building where this art is located is a bit dark, but perhaps this is gentler on the artwork. I really enjoyed how much documentation existed for many of the pieces, particularly the architectural remnants with complicated designs (braided curves), explaining a bit of history and interpretation.
This museum is an absolute must visit! Set over three floors, the museum offers a number of art collections which are beautifully presented. I visited midday on a Wednesday and there were very few there.
We are very picky museum visitors, we were very pleasantly surprised by the collection, but above all how nicely the exhibition is curated (the portraits). The immersive part was just right and pleasant. The installation of the kindergarten was cute. Very super friendly staff and an entry price which is way too low. I just wish that they had a Museum shop, I would have bought a replica of the wonderful jewels that I saw in the paintings.
Great museum with from the 16 to 20tg century as well as a lot of Sant'Elia and Terragni. Really helpful and nice staff as well. Definitely recommended!
Very nice museum, great selection of works with lots of variety. Friendly staff and pleasantly quiet in the busier center of Como.
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