Museo del paesaggio

About the museum

The Museo del Paesaggio was founded in 1909 in Pallanza by Antonio Massara and the intermunicipal association “Pro Verbano”, under the name Museo storico artistico del Verbano e delle valli adiacenti (Historical and Artistic Museum of the Verbano and the Adjacent Valleys). Massara regarded the landscape as the main value of the territory, which was threatened by tourism, industry and property speculation, and he relied on raising the awareness of the population through a magazine and a museum. In 1914 it took its present name and found a home in the historic Palazzo Viani Dugnani, granted on loan by the municipality of Verbania.

The collections grew over time: in 1938 the heirs of Paolo Troubetzkoy donated the sculptor’s plasters; in 1961 archaeological material excavated at Ornavasso by Enrico Bianchetti arrived; in 1981 the museum acquired 53 works by Arturo Martini; and in 1996 the donation of Arnaldo Tozzi added 19 paintings by Mario Tozzi. In 1988 the Centro Studi del Paesaggio was established; in 2000 the archaeology section opened, and in 2007 the Casa Ceretti branch in Intra.

The painting, made mainly between the second half of the 19th century and the early 20th century, often depicts the lake and mountain landscape of the Verbano, with artists such as Daniele Ranzoni, Federico Ashton, Achille Tominetti, Carlo Fornara, Vittore Grubicy De Dragon and Mario Tozzi. The collections are displayed on the piano nobile (main floor) of the palace, which also permanently houses the room with 15th-century frescoes. The museum also has a library, a historical archive and photographic holdings.

Highlights

• Gipsoteca Troubetzkoy with the sculptor’s plasters
• Collection of 53 works by Arturo Martini
• Paintings of the Lake Maggiore landscape: Ranzoni, Ashton, Fornara, Grubicy
• Room of 15th-century frescoes on the piano nobile
• Garden Café in the palace courtyard
• Family-friendly museum with Baby Pit Stop and relaxation area

Permanent exhibitions

• Collezioni permanenti di Palazzo Viani Dugnani – Picture gallery, Arturo Martini collection and Gipsoteca Troubetzkoy, with the room of 15th-century frescoes.
• Gipsoteca Troubetzkoy – The plasters of the sculptor Paolo Troubetzkoy, donated to the museum by his heirs in 1938.

Founded

1909

Operated by

Museo del Paesaggio (ente)

Visitors per year

approx. 6,970

Admission & discounts

The ticket covers the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions. Free admission also for members of the Museo del Paesaggio, holders of the Abbonamento Musei Torino Piemonte e Valle d’Aosta, journalists, tourist guides and school classes of the municipality of Verbania. Under the project “Nati con la cultura” (Born with Culture), the cultural passport gives free admission up to the child’s first year of age for the family unit (up to 2 companions).

Accessibility

• 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

The museum is fully accessible to people with mobility impairments; the accessible entrance is on Via Marconi.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

“Family and kids friendly” museum: at the ticket office there is a Family kit (Kit Lilliput), baby carriers and high chairs; the Baby Pit Stop has a changing table and bottle warmer, and the relaxation area has a “Nati per leggere” (Born to Read) corner. Art workshops for children take place on the first Sunday of the month at Casa Ceretti (from age 2) and on the third Saturday of the month at Palazzo Viani Dugnani (from age 5).

Getting there & parking

By car from the A26 motorway, take the Verbania exit. Via Ruga 44 is in the pedestrian zone, a few steps from the lakeside promenade.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Garden Café in the palace courtyard (Caffè delle Rose Bistrot) and a bookshop on the ground floor with books, catalogues and gifts.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Spaces at the museum’s sites are available for events, conferences and meetings, including Casa Ceretti in Intra and a fitted meeting room in Palazzo Viani Dugnani; exclusive guided visits for groups and companies are also possible outside opening hours.

Plan your visit