Castello di Sartirana – Fondazione Sartirana Arte

About the museum

The Castello di Sartirana stands among the rice fields of the Lomellina, on the border with Piedmont. It was built in the last quarter of the 14th century as part of the Visconti and then Sforza fortification system. The imposing cylindrical tower was built by the architect Ridolfo Fioravanti between 1464 and 1466. After the end of the Duchy of Milan the castle became a fief of Mercurino Arborio Gattinara, and his descendants lived there until 1934.

Since 1980 it has housed the collections of the Centro Studi della Lomellina, and since 1993 it has been the seat of the Fondazione Sartirana Arte. In the rooms of the ground floor and the noble floor, collections of painting, sculpture, prints, photography, ceramics, women's and men's fashion, domestic silverware, artist jewellery and Venetian glass alternate on a rotating basis. The foundation's aim is to document the encounter between the skill of craftsmen and the creativity of Italian designers and artists.

Beside the castle stands La Pila, a horseshoe-shaped farm complex built at the end of the 17th century for processing rice, with a water mill and hulling machines that remained in use until the 1960s of the 20th century. These buildings form the core of the Museo Etnografico della Lomellina.

Highlights

• 14th-century Visconti-Sforza castle with cylindrical tower
• Rooms of high fashion, contemporary art, design silverware and Venetian glass
• Guided visit of about 40 minutes
• La Pila, historic rice-processing complex
• Corte d'onore (main courtyard) with free admission

Permanent exhibition

• Collezioni della Fondazione Sartirana Arte – Rotating rooms devoted to high fashion, contemporary art, Italian design silverware and Venetian glass.

Founded

1980

Operated by

Fondazione Sartirana Arte

Admission & discounts

The guided visit of about 40 minutes costs €9 per person. During the Sagra della Rana (September 2026), entry with a guided visit cost €8 for adults, and children up to 12 entered free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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

According to the municipality's website, entrance is accessible to people with disabilities.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

The castle can be booked for private events.

Plan your visit