Archivio Museo Malaspina (Mulazzo)

The Archivio Museo Malaspina occupies Palazzo Malaspina in the historic village of Mulazzo, in Lunigiana. Its books, documents and collections connect the Malaspina family’s local history with the scientific voyages of Alessandro Malaspina.

Why it matters

Research by Dario Manfredi brought together a substantial archive devoted to the Malaspina of Mulazzo and the navigator. The museum links the history of a noble family with navigation, cartography and encounters between Europe and the Americas.

What to notice

The palace faces the Torre di Dante near the top of the village. Within it, a specialist library, historical documents and permanent displays examine Alessandro Malaspina’s expedition and the images and techniques associated with exploration. Family papers broaden the story beyond the navigator alone.

Context and history

Born in Mulazzo in 1754, Alessandro Malaspina led the Spanish Crown’s expedition aboard the Descubierta and Atrevida from 1789 to 1794. The museum opened in 2005. A foundation followed in 2007, and the Centro di Studi Storici Alessandro Malaspina was established in 2021. The institution preserves this research heritage in the explorer’s birthplace.