MVSA - Museo Valtellinese di Storia e Arte

Sondrio’s Valtellina Museum of History and Art (MVSA) brings together archaeological, sacred, civic and artistic collections in Palazzo Sassi de’ Lavizzari. Its six sections trace the history and culture of the valley and its provincial capital.

Why it matters

Founded in 1947 and owned by the Municipality of Sondrio, the museum organises its collections into Archaeology, Sacred Art, Collections, Ligari, Twentieth Century and History. The Ligari section focuses on the local family of painters, whose work is also represented in the nearby collegiate church. Together, the sections connect the valley’s early settlement with its religious art, civic history and modern culture.

What to notice

The archaeological section presents evidence of the valley’s settlement, while Sacred Art brings together works from parish churches. The Collections section includes objects gathered from around the Mediterranean. The Ligari rooms focus on the family’s artistic legacy; the twentieth-century section includes modern and contemporary works, including Angelo Vaninetti’s 1972 portrait of an elderly peasant woman. Palazzo Sassi de’ Lavizzari provides the historic setting for the collections.

Context and history

The civic collection was established in 1947 under municipal ownership and is housed in Palazzo Sassi de’ Lavizzari in Sondrio’s historic centre. Over time, the museum expanded from a civic collection into six sections covering archaeology, sacred art, regional collecting, the Ligari family, twentieth-century art and local history. Its educational and cultural programme includes activities for children, adults and visitors with disabilities.