Our Physics Laboratory was first started By Alessandro Volta in 1775;he was headmaster and teacher of Physics in the school;located at the time in the previous Jesus College.The first machines date back to 1793.Between 1804 and 1818 Swiss neoclassic architect Simone Cantoni transformed the Monastery of S.Cecilia into a building suitable to host the present Lyceum and the town cultural facilities;a library;a botanic garden and an art gallery;on the model of Brera.
The Physics Laboratory (today a library) resembles the Pantheon with its large vault;circular at the top.In 1838 opposite the church;the Laboratory of Natural Sciences was equipped;today in need of repairs.Today the Museum of Physics can be found in the northern part of the Lyceum;built between 1820 and1824 by Swiss architect Biagio Magistretti.
The instruments donated by G:B:Gattoni;a friend of Volta's;make up the heart of the collection.