Fondazione Magnani-Rocca

About the museum

The Fondazione Magnani-Rocca was established in 1977 on the initiative of Luigi Magnani (1906–1984), with the support of the Cassa di Risparmio di Parma, and named after his parents Giuseppe and Donna Eugenia Rocca. It was recognised as a private legal entity by presidential decree of 15 March 1978 and promotes artistic, musical and literary activities. Magnani assigned his villa at Mamiano to the Foundation, which opened to the public as a museum in 1990.

The rooms retain their original furnishings, including Empire and Jacob furniture and a large malachite bowl by Thomire, a gift from Tsar Alexander I to Napoleon. The halls house the permanent collection assembled by Magnani: works by Gentile da Fabriano, Filippo Lippi, Carpaccio, Dürer, Titian (the “Sacra Conversazione”), Rubens and Van Dyck, Goya’s “Family of the Infante Don Luis”, paintings by Monet, Renoir and Cézanne, works by De Chirico, De Pisis and Burri, about fifty works by Giorgio Morandi and sculptures by Canova and Bartolini.

The building is complemented by the Parco Romantico, which combines three centuries of gardens: an Italian-style layout, an English-style park with exotic plants and monumental trees, and contemporary interventions; white and coloured peacocks live there. Besides the permanent collection, the Foundation organises a major temporary exhibition every year, as well as concerts and educational activities.

Highlights

• Sacra Conversazione (Sacred Conversation) by Titian
• The Family of the Infante Don Luis by Goya
• About 50 works by Giorgio Morandi
• Impressionist masterpieces by Monet, Renoir and Cézanne
• Parco Romantico with peacocks and monumental trees
• Sculptures by Canova and Bartolini

Permanent exhibitions

• Collezione permanente di Luigi Magnani – Paintings, sculptures and furnishings in the collector’s villa, from Gentile da Fabriano and Titian to Goya, Monet, Morandi and De Chirico.
• Parco Romantico – Garden with Italian-style, English-style and contemporary layouts, monumental trees and peacocks.

Founded

1990

Operated by

Fondazione Magnani-Rocca

Visitors per year

approx. 37,000

Admission & discounts

The ticket, to be bought on arrival without booking or time slot, covers the temporary exhibition, the permanent collection, the “Armadi segreti” (Secret Cupboards) and the Parco Romantico. Free admission: one place for every 20 people in a group, group drivers, accompanying teachers (up to 3 for every 20 students), accredited journalists.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Visitors with particular needs are invited to telephone 0521 848148 before the visit. People with disabilities can reach the temporary exhibition rooms by a special access (except the first small room), the Sala Gentile da Fabriano, the Sala Van Dyck, the Sala Goya, the Sala Farnese and the Sala Tiziano; the upper floor can only be reached by the monumental internal staircase.

Kids & families

For children and young people up to age 14 the ticket costs €5; the Foundation offers workshops for schools and free drawing-from-life workshops.

Getting there & parking

By car: from Bologna take the Terre di Canossa exit towards Montecchio Emilia and Traversetolo; from Milan take the Parma centre exit towards Traversetolo. By bicycle from Parma, about 45–60 minutes.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant

Restaurant and café in the museum courtyard (restaurant reservations: 0521 1627509).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The villa’s spaces and the park are available for receptions, corporate meetings, conventions and dinners.

Plan your visit