Opened in 1897 in the former townhouse of the Giovio counts, the museum holds finds spanning prehistory to the Roman age from the Como area, including grave goods from the Ca’ Morta necropolis of the Golasecca culture.
The museum was founded in 1897 and takes its name from Paolo Giovio (Como, 1483–1552), historian, physician and bishop from Como. It occupies Palazzo Giovio, the family’s former residence, which together with the adjoining Palazzo Lucini and Palazzo Olginati forms the Civic Museums complex overlooking Piazza Medaglie d’Oro in the historic centre of Como.
Collection
The displays trace the area’s history from prehistory and protohistory to the Roman age, with grave goods from the Ca’ Morta necropolis linked to the Golasecca culture (early Iron Age) and Roman architectural elements. Nineteenth-century additions include Egyptian, Greek and Magna Graecian finds, bronzes, gems and coins, the result of donations and private collecting that flowed into the civic museum.
Practical information
- The exhibition rooms are currently closed to the public for maintenance work (per the official website of the Comune di Como); a dedicated consultation service for the collection remains available on request.
- Part of the Como Civic Museums network together with Tempio Voltiano, the Museo storico Giuseppe Garibaldi and the Pinacoteca civica, with combined-ticket options.
- Address: Piazza Medaglie d’Oro, Como. For reopening updates, see the official Comune di Como website (Musei Civici).