International Museum of Vintage Boats

The Lake Como Boat Museum: A World-Class Nautical Heritage

Housed within the stunning 19th-century Filanda Erba, a historic silk mill in Calozzo di Pianello del Lario, the Museo della Barca Lariana is a global treasure. This industrial landmark preserves over four hundred historic boats and a vast array of nautical memorabilia. Conceived by Gian Alberto Zanoletti in the late 1970s and inaugurated in 1982, the museum recently underwent a major renovation in 2018, unveiling modernized exhibition spaces and newly restored hulls to a collection that is truly unique worldwide.

The Lifeblood of the Lake

For centuries, the water was the primary highway for the people of Lake Como. Massive cargo vessels like Comballi and traditional Gondolas harnessed the constant Breva and Tivano winds to transport goods across the Lario. Each room in the museum tells a vibrant story, offering an immersive journey through time. The collection is so vast that a single visit only scratches the surface of its diversity, featuring everything from elegant sailboats and vintage racing motorboats to traditional workboats, engines, and original rowing gear.

Speed Records and Living History

The museum experience unfolds across three levels of fascinating exhibits. In the grand reception hall, visitors are greeted by the Laura Iª, the legendary vessel from the Abbate shipyards that shattered the world speed record in 1953. The outdoor displays are equally impressive, featuring a classic Lariana Gondola, the Balilla steamer, and the iconic Freccia dei Gerani hydrofoil. To bring history to life, the museum offers multilingual captions, interactive QR codes for audio guides, and compelling video archives where the masters of the past share the secrets of a vanished nautical era.

For current hours, ticket information, and special exhibits, visit the official website: www.museobarcalariana.it