Do you like boats and Italy? Then you're sure to love this museum! The Barca Lariana Museum, located in Pianello del Lario on the shores of Lake Como, is a unique place dedicated to preserving the region's nautical heritage. Founded in 1982 by Gian Alberto Zanoletti, this museum offers a fascinating immersion in local maritime history and highlights the evolution of the boats and nautical traditions that have marked this Italian region.

The genesis of the Museo Barca Lariana

The idea for the Museo Barca Lariana was born from Gian Alberto Zanoletti's passion for the nautical heritage of Lake Como. Aware of the gradual disappearance of local nautical traditions, he set out from a young age to collect and safeguard objects bearing witness to this rich past. In 1978, with a group of friends sharing this vision, he founded an association dedicated to the conservation of boats and artefacts related to navigation on the lake.

Thanks to these efforts, the museum opened its doors in 1982 in a former 19th-century spinning mill in Pianello del Lario. This choice of location, on the edge of the lake, allows the objects on display to be placed in their natural and historical context, offering visitors an immersive and authentic experience.

Gian Alberto Zanoletti, the founder of the Museo Della Barca Lariana

Gian Alberto Zanoletti was passionate about the nautical culture and traditions of Lake Como. His commitment to preserving this heritage led him to devote much of his life to collecting and preserving historical boats, documents and objects related to navigation.

His ambition was to create a place where future generations could discover and appreciate the nautical history of the region, thus guaranteeing the transmission of this exceptional heritage.

Museo Della Barca Lariana, a unique collection of boats

The Barca Lariana Museum is distinguished by the breadth and diversity of its collection, which covers more than two millennia of nautical history. This collection is the result of decades of research and preservation, reflecting the evolution of boats and navigation practices not only on Lake Como, but also throughout Italy.

Among the most remarkable pieces in the museum are:

• More than 400 historic vessels: from traditional rowing boats to sailing boats, gondolas, fishing boats, smuggling boats, motor boats and seaplanes.
• Around 300 engines: illustrating the evolution of marine propulsion technologies, from the first models to the most sophisticated competition engines.
• An extensive collection of archives and documents: including construction plans, old photographs, navigation logs and a specialised library of over 2,500 books.

The Museo Della Barca Lariana, a journey through nautical history

The museum tour is designed to offer visitors an immersive dive into the nautical history of Lake Como and beyond. Each section of the museum presents the technical, cultural and social aspects of the boats on display, allowing visitors to better understand the impact of navigation on the development of the region.

Why visit the Barca Lariana Museum?

For boat enthusiasts, the Barca Lariana Museum is a must-see destination for several reasons:

1. An exceptional collection: with more than 400 boats and 300 engines, the museum offers a comprehensive overview of the evolution of shipbuilding techniques and navigation on the lake.
2. Unique and rare items: some of the boats on display are treasures of nautical heritage, such as the oldest preserved Venetian gondola with its ‘felze’ (cabin).
3. Themed exhibitions: rooms dedicated to iconic manufacturers such as Riva, as well as a recently inaugurated outboard motor exhibition, allow visitors to explore various facets of navigation.
4. An educational and interactive approach: in addition to the exhibits, the museum offers multimedia materials, photographic archives and historical accounts that enrich the visitor experience.
5. An exceptional setting: located in a restored former spinning mill on the shores of Lake Como, the museum offers an enchanting setting that enhances the discovery of the boats.

The Barca Lariana Museum is much more than just a museum: it is a veritable sanctuary dedicated to nautical history and culture, a place where each exhibit tells a fascinating story. For any boat lover, a visit is a must to explore the unique maritime heritage of Lake Como and to appreciate the ingenuity and know-how that have marked the evolution of navigation.