Beretta since 1526: the world’s oldest firearms manufacturer in Lombardy, near Milan

The firearms of Beretta, Leonardo da Vinci and Val Trompia

Discover the oldest firearms company in the world

 Val Trompia has historically been one of Europe’s most important centres for ironworking and firearms production. This valley, located in the Lombardy region, lies around an hour and a half by car from Milan.

Val Trompia is also known as “The Iron Route” and is crossed throughout its length by the Mella River. Less than an hour’s drive away lies Lake Iseo, home to Monte Isola, the largest natural lake island in Italy as well as the highest lake island in Europe. To the north and south, Monte Isola is flanked by the small islands of Isola di Loreto and Isola di San Paolo, the latter owned by the Beretta family. The lake’s main tributary and outlet is the Oglio River, while the surrounding area is home to more than 500 different animal species.

 Weapons manufacturing

The valley is internationally renowned for the presence of Beretta, founded in 1526 by Bartolomeo Beretta and still operating today, making it one of the oldest industrial businesses in the world.

In 1526, Maestro Bartolomeo Beretta of Gardone supplied 185 arquebus barrels to the Arsenal of the Republic of Venice. This is documented by a payment receipt dated 3 October 1526, which is considered the company’s founding document.

Sixteen generations, the same values

Across sixteen generations, Beretta has preserved a heritage deeply rooted in tradition, craftsmanship and innovation. Its story extends far beyond the Beretta family itself, embracing generations of collaborators, master craftsmen and skilled workers whose expertise has shaped the industrial identity of the valley.

The transformation of raw materials drawn from the surrounding mountains into refined objects of both functional and aesthetic perfection has become a defining symbol of Val Trompia. Ancient techniques continue to coexist with evolving manufacturing processes and modern technology, always with great respect for the knowledge and dedication of the men and women behind the craft.

 

Craftsmanship passed down through generations

Traditional techniques such as hammer and chisel work, engraving with the burin, gold inlay and enamelling turn metal into works of art. To preserve and pass on these centuries-old skills, Beretta has established its own in-house academy dedicated to training future generations of artisans.

In 1903, Pietro Beretta took over the company from his father, Giuseppe Antonio Beretta, modernising the factories and introducing large-scale firearms production. Yet the roots of Beretta’s uniqueness stretch much further back, to the Renaissance period, when art, science and technology flourished across northern Italy. Venice’s extensive mercantile network and international trade connections played a crucial role in the company’s early success.

 

Leonardo da Vinci in Lombardy

It was during this same period that Leonardo da Vinci was active in the Duchy of Milan, corresponding largely to present-day northern Italy.

In one of the manuscripts now preserved in the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle, Leonardo drew three sketches illustrating the courses of the Rivers Mella and Brembo around 1510.

This remarkable sheet, which depicts the course of the Mella River on the right-hand side, provides evidence of Leonardo’s presence in Val Trompia during his second stay in Lombardy, around 1510.

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