Museum Glauco Lombardi, Parma

Museum Glauco Lombardi (Museo Glauco Lombardi) in Parma combined history and art in itself. This is a kind of window to France. The institution is dedicated to the Bourbon dynasty, which for a long time had a significant influence not only on the province, but also on Italy as a whole. The core of its collection was created by an enthusiast, Professor Glauko Lombardi, in the early 20th century.

History of the museum

Having received a scientific degree in the history of art, Lombardi directed all his efforts to antiquarian and journalistic activities. Within a few years, he assembled an impressive collection of artistic and historical heritage of Parma, related to the period of the Bourbon rule (1748-1802 and 1847-1859). Particular attention was paid to the second wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, and later to the Duchess of Parma, Marie Louise of Austria, who ruled the province in 1816-1847. In 1915, the core of the Lombardi collection was placed in several rooms of the Ducal Palace in the commune of Colorno. In 1934, the professor agreed to transfer a significant number of exhibits to the museum by the grandson of Maria Louise, Count Giovanni Sanvitale.

The Second World War caused significant damage to the museum. After it, the restoration of collections and premises was delayed for many years because of bureaucracy. Finally in 1961 the museum was reopened in the Palazzo di Riserva in the center of Parma. In 1997-1999, the institution underwent a radical reconstruction, because of the striving to keep up to date. And in 2016 the museum became the venue for celebrations and various events dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the reign of the Duchess Maria Louise.

Exposition of the museum

The museum collection has many different items that transfer the visitor to the distant era of the reign of the French Empire. The most outstanding exhibits are the ducal mantle of Maria Louise decorated with platinum embroidery, the letters of the King of Rome and Napoleon to the Duchess, albums and diaries, jewelry and letters. There is a very interesting fragment of the imperial mantle, donated by the duchess to meet the needs of the inhabitants of Parma, suffering from cholera. In the museum you can also see a collection of watercolors, engravings and paintings of the 18-19th centuries. The entire museum route is divided into several halls:

• Ballroom. Originally intended for parties, this hall was restored and the original decoration was presented. Things relating to the imperial period of 1810-1814 are exhibited here. These are jewels, clothes and accessories given by Napoleon to his young wife on the occasion of the wedding. There are also several official portraits: Maria Louise by Robert J. Lefèvre in 1812, Napoleon by François Gérard, and the King of Rome.
• Golden room. Various items of luxury and jewelry that once belonged to the imperial family are stored here.
• Hall of Paolo Toschi is dedicated to the great artist and engraver of the first half of the 19th century, a former native of Parma.
• Hall of painting. On its walls there is a series of watercolors depicting mountain and lake landscapes, city landscapes, genre scenes, costume parties. The works mostly belong to the brush of Austrian, Swiss and German artists, and were collected by the Duchess on her many trips.
• French room. It houses examples of furniture and paintings that represent the tastes of the French nobility of the first half of the 19th century.
• Hall of Petitot. Since 1972, a series of miniature works of the famous French architect and engineer Ennemond Alexandre Petitot has been exhibited here.
• Hall of emotions. It exhibits items that relate to the personal life of the duchess. Documents, correspondence, portraits and busts of relatives, medallions, embroidery and many other exhibits convey the tastes of Maria Louise a little.
• Hall of Maria Louise. Here, through the exhibits you can find out about the variety of hobbies of the duchess. They are often quite different and not very characteristic for women of that time: painting, fishing, correspondence with family members, diaries, sewing, embroidery, knitting, dogs, weapons.

How to get there

The museum is located in the heart of the historic center of Parma, on Strada G. Garibaldi, 15. Opposite there is the Piazzale della Pace, and the Monument to the Partisans. A little further on there are the Museum Bodoni and the National Archaeological Museum, housed in the Palotta Palace. Near the museum there is a bus stop Teatro Regio. It can be reached by routes 1, 2, 2N, 15.

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 to 16:00, on Sundays and public holidays – from 9:30 to 19:00. In July and August on Sundays the museum is open from 9:30 to 14:00. Monday is the day off. Phone number: (+39) 0521 233727.

Admission: the price of the full ticket is 5 euro, with a discount – 3 euro. Discounts apply for pensioners, teenagers (15-17), and groups of 20 people. For children under 14 – admission is free. Data of June 2018.