Founded in 1796 by Giacomo Carrara, the Accademia Carrara is regarded as Italy’s museum of collecting, as its collections are entirely built on the bequests of enlightened patrons who, over time, expanded its artistic heritage for the benefit of the city and the wider community.

The exhibition path unfolds across sixteen rooms, each narrating a different story. The first sequence is dedicated to Italian art from the Gothic period to the Renaissance, with a focus on the significant group of 15th-century works from the Po Valley and the Veneto – with masterpieces by Pisanello, Mantegna and Bellini – and the contemporary Tuscan production, highlighted by paintings by Raphael and Botticelli.

The second sequence traces an itinerary illustrating the figurative tradition between Lombardy and the Venetian mainland territories from the 15th to the 18th century, with particular attention to the Bergamo context, where Lotto, Moroni, Baschenis and Fra Galgario were active. Finally, the section dedicated to the 19th century offers an insight into the stories and leading figures of the Accademia Carrara’s School of Painting.

Since September 2024, Fondazione Accademia Carrara has added another wonder to the visitor experience: the PwC Gardens, a new shared space featuring an elegant bistrot, a walkway connecting the outdoor area to the museum galleries, and a romantic park.