Casa Museo Lodovico Pogliaghi
Museum house of the artist Lodovico Pogliaghi on the Sacro Monte of Varese, with eclectic collections, a garden and a view as far as Milan Cathedral.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Casa Museo Lodovico Pogliaghi stands in the village of the Sacro Monte of Varese and was the home of the Milanese artist Lodovico Pogliaghi (Milan 1857 – Varese 1950), painter, sculptor, architect and stage designer. A pupil of Giuseppe Bertini at the Accademia di Brera, he also taught ornament at Brera from 1891 and excelled in many arts, from sculpture to graphic design, goldsmithing and glass art. His most famous work is the central door of Milan Cathedral, on which he worked from 1894 to 1908. He also made the Crucifix over the high altar of Milan Cathedral, the Concordia group for the Altare della Patria in Rome, and numerous funerary monuments.
The house, with its eclectic rooms and park, holds the artist's collections: his own works, antiquities, Egyptian sarcophagi, Oriental objects and marionettes for shadow theatre. Today it is a cultural property owned by the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana, whose management is entrusted to Archeologistics.
In January 2014 funding from the Lombardy Region made it possible to begin conservation restoration, which led to the reopening of the Casa Museo to the public on 5 May 2014, as part of the enhancement of the UNESCO heritage of the Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy. On clear days, Milan Cathedral and its main spire can be seen from the windows.
Highlights
- Eclectic rooms and collections of Lodovico Pogliaghi
- Egyptian sarcophagus and antiquities
- Gilded gallery of the villa
- Marionettes for shadow theatre
- Park with a view as far as Milan Cathedral
- Set within the Sacro Monte of Varese, a UNESCO site
Permanent exhibition
- Collezioni della Casa Museo Pogliaghi – Eclectic rooms of the artist's house, with works, antiquities, an Egyptian sarcophagus, Oriental objects and marionettes for shadow theatre.
- Operated by
- Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana (gestione Archeologistics)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 5,652
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €5children and young people aged 6 to 18, groups of more than 15 people, FAI and Coop members |
| Children & teens | €5free up to age 5 · Children and young people aged 6 to 18: reduced ticket; free admission for ages 0 to 5. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission for people with disabilities. |
| Groups (16+ people) | €5 per personGroups of more than 15 people: reduced ticket. |
| Families | €20Family ticket for a single museum (2 adults + 2 children). |
| Full-price holiday ticket (Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, 10:00–18:00) | €10 |
| Combined ticket Casa Museo Pogliaghi + Crypt of the Sanctuary + Museo Baroffio | €15Valid for the day. |
| Garden-only ticket | €2 |
| Guided group tour of the Casa Museo (maximum 25 people, about one hour) | €80 |
| Guided group tour of the Casa Museo and the Viale delle Cappelle (half day) | €120Maximum 25 people. |
| Guided group tour of the Casa Museo, the Viale delle Cappelle, the village of Santa Maria del Monte and the Museo Baroffio (full day) | €200Maximum 25 people. |
Full-price ticket on weekdays (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 10:00–13:00) €7; on public holidays (Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 10:00–18:00) €10. Free admission also for tourist guides working in their profession, residents of Santa Maria del Monte and holders of the Abbonamento Musei Lombardia card. Tickets can be bought online.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €20 · Family ticket for a single museum (2 adults + 2 children). |
- Family tours & workshops
The museum offers visits for individuals, families, adult groups and schools; visits and activities dedicated to schools are available.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Piazzale Pogliaghi (capolinea linea C)
By train from Milan on the Milano–Varese–Laveno or Milano–Varese–Porto Ceresio lines; from the Varese stations, urban bus line C (Maspero–Kennedy FS/FNM stop) to the terminus at Piazzale Pogliaghi on the Sacro Monte. On Sundays and public holidays the funicular from Prima Cappella operates seasonally.
By car
Paid parking
Paid parking at Piazzale Pogliaghi (blue lines). The parking meters accept coins only.
The entrance is from the Viale delle Cappelle, opposite the Ristorante Montorfano, between the fourth Chapel and the Fountain of Moses (Via Beata Giuliana 5, with access from via del Santuario). By car: A8 motorway, Varese exit, following the signs for the Sacro Monte, or Buguggiate exit.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
Bookshop.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
The rooms and the park are available for wedding photo services and shoots. The rooms and the panoramic terrace of the Rustici can be rented for private parties.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays the guided tour is included in the ticket, with departures at 11:00, 12:00, 14:30, 15:30 and 16:30. Audio guides can be downloaded from the website. The visit may include a walk through the village of Santa Maria del Monte or the Viale delle Cappelle. Private after-hours entries can be booked. |
