The Ethnographic Museum of Schilpario
Objectives and History of the Museum
The main purpose of the museum is to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of the Valle di Scalve.
At the same time, its purpose is to pass on the historical memory of the customs and traditions of the valley’s inhabitants to future generations.
The museum tries to maintain a strong connection between past and present and create links between the museum itself and the other operators and facilities working in the area, in order to remind what life was like in Schilpario in the past.
The Ethnographic Museum of Schilpario was officially established in 1986, though the municipality had already expressed the desire to create it in the 1970s.
The museum’s collection consists of equipment, documents, and objects gathered by volunteers, which illustrate work and daily life before the 1950s and 1960s, including:
- Agriculture and livestock;
- Forestry activities;
- Craftsmanship;
- Mining
There are also references to emigration, a particularly acute phenomenon in the Valley over the years ranging from 1890 to 1920, and artifacts related to daily life and family.
Among the most important objects are a loom for weaving the canvas, a mill which was used to produce flour, a millstone and a press for the production of linseed oil, used as fuel for lamps, as food and as medicine.
Temporary Exhibitions
The Ethnographic Museum of Schilpario organizes temporary exhibitions on various topics. In 2015, it hosted the exhibition “The Ancient Dialogue Between Man and Nature”, focusing on agriculture and livestock.
Between 2016 and 2017, it presented “Education and School in the Past in Valle di Scalve”.
For information on current and upcoming exhibitions, visitors are encouraged to check the museum’s official website or Facebook page.
Opening hours
- Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM / 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM
- Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Visitors are advised to check in advance for holiday schedule changes
Tickets 2025
Individuals
General Admission: € 3,00
with guided tour: € 5,00
Groups (more than 15 people)
with guided tour: € 3,00
Groups (less than 15 people)
with guided tour: € 4,00
Free Entrance for:
- Accompanying persons
- Children under 10 years old
- People with disabilities
- Residents of Valle di Scalve
- Seniors over 65 years old
- Holders of the “Abbonamento Musei” pass
For guided tour reservations, please contact the museum via email museo@comune.schilpario.bg.it or call 0346.55393.
