Centro Parco Ex Dogana Austroungarica
Visitor centre of the Parco del Ticino in the former 18th-century customs house of Tornavento, with exhibition and educational spaces on the territory and the starting point of trails in the Ticino valley.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The building, also known as Cascina Parravicino, was built in 1737 as a customs house between the Duchy of Milan, part of the Holy Roman Empire, and the Kingdom of Sardinia, on the far side of the Ticino river. It served this function until 1859, when most of Lombardy was annexed to the future Kingdom of Italy and the old international border became a regional boundary between Lombardy and Piedmont.
After the customs officers moved out it was for a time a barracks of the Guardia di Finanza (customs police) and, at the end of the 19th century, a farm of the Parravicino family. Abandoned from the 1960s onwards, the complex was bought in 1996–1997 by the administration of the Parco del Ticino and restored; the works were completed in 2001.
Today the main building houses exhibition and museum spaces of an educational character, offices of the Park and conference rooms, while the former farm building is used for refreshments and leisure; the courtyard is a picnic area. The Centro Parco stands in a panoramic position over the Ticino valley and is the starting point of routes along the via Gaggio and of the trails of the Vie Verdi network.
Highlights
- Former 1737 customs house on the border between the Duchy of Milan and the Kingdom of Sardinia
- Exhibition and educational spaces of the Parco del Ticino
- Panoramic viewpoints over the valley and Monte Rosa
- Start of trails along the via Gaggio and the Vie Verdi
- Courtyard with picnic area
- Operated by
- Parco Lombardo della Valle del Ticino
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Large car park at the Centro Parco, also suitable for coaches.
It is located in Tornavento, at the corner of via del Gregge and via De Amicis, at the end of via Gaggio.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The former farm building is used for refreshments and has a conference room and a shop selling local products; the inner courtyard is a picnic area.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The Parco del Ticino offers schools routes with nature guides starting from the Centro Parco along the via Gaggio. |
