- Art & Culture
The Museum of Electrical Technology
The fascinating story of the most important scientific discoveries and inventions related to the study of electricity
The Museum of Electrical Engineering aims to present the historical heritage of electrical engineering and its impact on all aspects of daily life in an international context, covering the entire time span from its origins to the present day.
Located in Pavia, it serves as a permanent tribute to Alessandro Volta, inventor of the electric battery and former professor at the University of Pavia. The museum, formally established in March 2000 through a program agreement between the University of Pavia, the Lombardy Region, the Province of Pavia, and the Municipality of Pavia, was inaugurated and opened to the public in March 2007. The museum’s purposes include education, research, conservation, and outreach with an engaging and informative approach.
In a space of 5,000 square meters, more than 7,000 objects are exhibited, unique and original pieces from some of the most important Italian industrial and scientific-educational collections (Enel, Sirti and the University of Pavia). The museum is characterized by the presence of large objects that are particularly significant in the history of electrical science and the changes it has brought about in everyday life. For example, the Museum preserves an alternator from the Paderno d’Adda power plant, a Milan city tram, a particle accelerator, a wind generator and Eta Beta, a nuclear fusion generator resulting from an important Italian scientific project.
Opening hours
Monday to Friday from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:00 PM)
First Saturday and first Sunday of the month from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (last entry at 5:00 PM)
For school groups, opening by appointment at other times (email mte@unipv.it)