Montichiari between Art, History and Regional Culture

Montichiari turns its attention to art, architecture and the way of life of past generations. This includes a collection with 370 inventory numbers and a museum with around 6,000 objects. At the same time, the cultural perspective extends beyond the town: several museums and the Castello Bonoris are located in the surrounding area, while the Pieve di San Pancrazio on a hill above Montichiari adds its own historical and landscape character.

Art from the 15th to the 19th century

One focus is on painting. The Lechi Museum is located in the surrounding area of Montichiari. The collection of the Museo Lechi comprises 370 inventory numbers with paintings, drawings, miniatures, prints and porcelain. The permanent exhibition of the Museo Lechi displays around 100 paintings in 13 rooms arranged chronologically and thematically, dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Anyone interested in the development of painting over several centuries will encounter a broad chronological span and different forms of artistic work here.

The Pinacoteca Pasinetti museum is also located in the surrounding area of Montichiari. The Pinacoteca Antonio e Laura Pasinetti permanently preserves works by the painter Antonio Pasinetti. These include portraits, colourful landscapes and paintings on social themes. The three visual worlds set different accents: personal representation, landscape and social observation.

Romanesque church and Neo-Gothic manor house

The Pieve di San Pancrazio is a Romanesque church from the 12th century on a hill above Montichiari. The Pieve di San Pancrazio offers wide views over the surrounding region. Historical architecture and landscape come together directly here: the building not only represents an early period, but also provides a broad view of the regional context.

The Castello Bonoris is located in the surrounding area of Montichiari. It is a manor house built in the 19th century in the Neo-Gothic style at the request of Count Gaetano Bonoris. Compared with the Romanesque Pieve, the Castello Bonoris therefore belongs to a clearly later architectural period. This creates a comprehensible historical span between medieval religious architecture and a Neo-Gothic manor house.

Everyday culture and events

The Museo Bergomi preserves around 6,000 objects from Alpine and pre-Alpine valleys as well as from the plain. It therefore documents the local rural way of life of the past two centuries. The focus here is less on individual works of art than on objects that illustrate the everyday life, work and regional character of earlier generations.

The Museo Bergomi includes a video and conference hall with 50 seats. Film clubs, concerts and conferences take place there. Courses in crafts and small-scale handicrafts are also held for adults and children.

Practical information for your visit

At the Palazzo dell’Archeologia e della Storia del territorio, the opening rule is particularly important for planning: on the other weekdays, the Palazzo is open by prior reservation. If you plan to visit this site, you should therefore consider the reservation a fixed part of your preparations.

Further destinations: Pontevico, Carpenedolo, Gavardo, Trenzano, Vione, Pregasio, Provezze, Ghedi

To the higher-level travel overview: Brescia.