A museum within a factory: the Moto Guzzi Museum has been a must-see destination for motorbike fans since the 1960s, as well as visible proof of Italy’s outstanding manufacturing traditions. Located in Mandello del Lario on the Lecco branch of Lake Como, it attracts around 30,000 visitors every year. Free guided tours
A team of ten volunteers offers guided tours, entertaining and amusing visitors with a host of stories and personal memories. “People come here from all over the world,” explains Gianprimo Ciappesoni. Born in 1938, the former Moto Guzzi factory worker has been a museum guide for many years. “The other day we even had some people from Australia and New Zealand, and French and German visitors come here regularly.” All this costs nothing, as admission is free. “They look at everything,” he reveals, “but the star attraction is the California: everyone wants to see it.” What are the most frequent questions? “How many motorbikes did we produce a day, why do Guzzi engines turn in the opposite direction and how have we managed to survive during the financial crisis. I always say it’s because we’ve always been fighters and because we were a real family.”
Hundreds of “jewels” on display
The museum is home to over 150 Guzzi models, including production motorcycles and sport bikes, covering the whole of the firm’s 95-year history. One of Gianprimo Ciappesoni’s personal favourites is the 1972 V7. “It was the best there was in its day: it was easy to ride and extremely stable.”
One particular gem is the collection of one-off and unique models, with prototypes of motorcycles and engines created by Guzzi’s brilliant designers, many of them ahead of their time. They include the first motorcycle built by Carlo Guzzi in 1919, the only one with the G.P. (Guzzi-Parodi) mark, and the 500 Eight Cylinder from 1957. It was built by the outstanding engineer Giulio Cesare Carcano, who dedicated his talent and creativity to the
Eagle for 30 years.
Not to be missed…
Guzzi fans will also appreciate the collection of production bikes, including a series of 80 vehicles which provide a cross-section of Italy’s economic and social development as well as an overview of the brand’s history. Like the 1928 Norge, designed by brothers Carlo and Giuseppe Guzzi and the first touring model in motorbike history, or the Sport and GT series from the 1930s.
Also not to be missed are the racing bikes which helped shape the history of the sport: among others, the 1924 Guzzi V4 which won Guido Mentasti the first European title at Monza, and the 1955 “World Champion” Guzzi 350.
Experience all the excitement and thrills for yourself by watching the incredible history of Moto Guzzi on screen at “The Sound of Passion” exhibit.
The museum is open all year round from Mondays to Fridays, 3pm to 4pm (2.30pm to 4.30pm in July). Entrance and guided tours are free.
