Barca Lariana Museum, Pianello del Lario: two millennia of navigation

About the Barca Lariana Museum

The Barca Lariana Museum, located in a restored 19th-century silk mill overlooking Lake Como in Pianello del Lario, showcases the history of local navigation from Roman times to the present. The exhibition includes hundreds of historic vessels — rowboats, traditional gondola-like craft, fishing and working boats, pleasure and racing motorboats, sailing vessels and antique steamers.

Key facts

• Exhibition area: more than 4,500 m² spread across 13 rooms and 19 thematic areas.
• Collection: hundreds of historic boats and archival material gathered through over forty years of research and conservation.
• Setting: exhibitions set inside a historic silk mill, combining traditional displays with thematic sections.

Current projects and initiatives

The museum foundation is implementing projects to broaden the cultural and educational offer. Notable initiatives include:

• "Le Barche Raccontano": a funded project to add new panels and multimedia installations to the visitor route.
• Gondola conservation: a program to study and highlight a historic Venetian-style gondola in the collection, restoring its cultural context.
• Lake Navigation Bicentenary (2026): a year of events, talks and conferences with local associations focusing on the history of public lake transport and the lake's role in regional development.

Who should visit

The museum is suitable for maritime history enthusiasts, families and school groups. Educational projects aim to increase visitor numbers and offer interactive experiences for children and teenagers.

Practical information

• Location: Via Regina 1268, 22010 Pianello del Lario (CO), Italy.
• Exhibition area: over 4,500 m², 13 rooms, 19 thematic areas.
• Collections: historic boats and archival materials.
• Visitor tip: check the museum's official website for opening hours, temporary exhibitions and educational programs before planning your visit.

The Barca Lariana Museum offers a comprehensive look at the maritime heritage of Lake Como, combining conservation, research and educational activities to engage visitors of all ages.