To make discover the "Dolce Vita
The famous Italian yacht brand Riva has inaugurated in October 2021 in partnership with the Fondazione Museo Barca Lariana, a 300 m2 space dedicated to the exhibition of seven of its iconic boats from the 1930s, embodying the "dolce vita". This permanent exhibition space, designed by architect Paolo Albano, can be seen at the International Museum of Vintage Boats on Lake Como, in Pianello del Lario.
Seven iconic boat models
At the heart of the exhibition is the Aquarama, whose lines brought Italian style to the yachting world and to the collective imagination. There are also several special models such as HaLu, one of the Riva's from the 1930's designed while Serafino Riva was still at the head of the shipyard. HaLu is probably the oldest and best preserved vintage Riva in the world.
The two Riva Series R models, the first to be built on a small production line, date from a few years later, as does the very rare Guzzi-powered car. A Riva Florida with special Scottish Madras upholstery is also on display. Visitors can also admire a series of traditional molds used for the production of the hulls.
A collection of objects and a film
At the heart of the museum's bookstore is the Riva Brand Experience collection of unique clothing and accessories, design objects and original collectibles. Among the latest additions is "Riva In The Movie", a book that tells the story of more than 50 films in which the brand's famous boats appear alongside movie stars. The short film of the same name, presented at the 77th Venice International Film Festival, is also being shown at the museum.
Recall the birth of the brand
This room is a tribute to Serafino Riva, famous for his fast racing boats and to his son Carlo Riva. It also recalls the birth of the prestigious brand in 1842. Pietro Riva was born in Laglio in 1822 and, following an encounter with a fisherman whose boat he skillfully repaired during a storm, the latter asked him to go to Sarnico to repair two other boats. This is how he became known and founded the Riva shipyard in 1842.
