History
The original nucleus of Palazzo Traversa dates back to the middle of the 15th century and is attributed to a branch of Asti's noble and wealthy Malabalia family which moved to Bra. Over the course of successive centuries the building went through several enlargements and modifications. In the 18th and 19th centuries the palace was extended on the north side and other buildings were added to the main section. The corner tower on the boundary wall, the Guelph battlements and the small balcony on the top floor of the tower are all dated from between the late 19th and the early 20th century. Given to the municipality of Bra in 1935, Palazzo Traverso was extensively restored in the 1980s. Today it houses the civic museum of archaeology, history and art, the successor to the folk museum of Bra's history and art founded by Bra native and local historian Euclide Milano and opened in 1919.
The museum is now divided in two and includes an archaeological section, with a collection of finds from the Roman town of Pollentia, and an art and history section, with works from the 17th-20th centuries and displays on local history.

Tour
Visitors can explore the museum's two sections. The archaeological section covers the ground floor, where the stone objects are displayed, and the second floor with Roman and medieval archaeological finds from the town of Pollentia and displays on the area's prehistory and proto-history. The art and history section on the first floor presents local works of art from the 17th-20th centuries.

Services
Educational activities.

Additional information
Local sights: town hall, Palazzo Mathis, Palazzo Garrone, church of Sant'Andrea, church of the Battuti Bianchi, birth house of St. Joseph Cottolengo, Palazzo Guerra, Palazzo Rosso, church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, chapel of Santo Rosario, the Zizzola, church of Santa Chiara, church of San Giovanni Decollato, parish church of San Giovanni, Politeama Boglione civic theatre, sanctuary of Madonna dei Fiori.
In the area: Pollenzo (archaeological remains from the Roman and medieval periods and historical buildings from the era of King Charles Albert)
Typical products: Bra sausage
Events: festival of Bra sausage and Piedmontese-breed beef (around Easter); book fair for children, children's theatre festival, "Aperitivo in Consolle" (May); "Pollentia Antiquaria", "Corto in Bra" international short film festival (June); "Folk Estate" (July); "Festa della Madonna dei Fiori", biannual Cheese festival, international street art festival, "Da Cortile a Cortile" (September)