Palazzo Belgiojoso

Palazzo Belgiojoso: A Neoclassical Journey through Science and History

The majestic Palazzo Belgiojoso was commissioned in 1772 by Marquis Giacomo Locatelli and later became the prestigious residence of the Princes Belgiojoso d’Este. In 1794, the renowned architect Leopold Pollack was enlisted to design the estate’s sprawling park. Since 1928, this neoclassical palace has served as the home of Lecco’s Civic Museums, housing world-class Natural History and Archaeological collections.

Lecco Museum of Natural History

The Natural History Museum is a rare gem, preserving its original early 20th-century exhibition style—a fascinating "time capsule" of scientific heritage. It honors the legacy of the illustrious geologist Antonio Stoppani and features eleven rooms dedicated to the Zoological Collections founded by Carlo Vercelloni. The palace’s elegant courtyard and arcades frequently serve as a sophisticated backdrop for high-level theatrical performances and cultural events.

The Zoological Collections and the Archaeological Museum

In the Archaeological Museum, history unfolds chronologically through artifacts discovered across the Province of Lecco. The journey spans from prehistory and the Iron Age (Golasecca and La Tène cultures) to the Roman era and the Late Middle Ages. A highlight is the 6th room, dedicated to the region's ancient metallurgical roots, showcasing Celtic iron weapons and pre-Roman pottery found in the nearby Valsassina valley.