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Civic ceramics museum of Laveno Mombello, in the 16th-century Palazzo Perabò on Lake Maggiore, with a collection of about 3,000 works.
September 20, 2026 – October 30, 2026
A public and participatory ceramic artwork, created in workshops with guests from two social organisations in the Varese area and devised by the duo ABRACADABRA; presented as part of the MIDeC Prize, curated by Fabio Carnaghi.
The Civica Raccolta di Terraglia was founded in 1968 and opened to the public in 1971 in Palazzo Perabò, a 16th-century building on the lakefront of Cerro, a hamlet of Laveno Mombello. Today the museum, owned by the municipality, is known as MIDeC, Museo Internazionale Design Ceramico, and tells the story of the ceramics industry of Laveno, which began in 1856.
The works come largely from the collection of the Società Ceramica Italiana Richard-Ginori, the Scotti-Meregalli donation, the Franco Revelli donation and other private bequests. The collection numbers about 3,000 ceramic works, of which some 500 are permanently displayed in the rooms of the Piano nobile (main floor).
On display are large vases, umbrella stands, presentation plates and tableware made by the Società Ceramica Italiana between the late 19th and mid-20th century, together with sculptures and panels by Angelo Biancini and Pietro Melandri and designs by the artistic directors Guido Andloviz and Antonia Campi. In recent decades the collection has been enriched with works by contemporary artists.
| Adults | €6 |
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| Reduced | €3 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 12 · Free admission up to 12 years. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freeFree admission for people with disabilities. |
| Groups | –Guided group visit: €70 per group plus €3 per person (reduced rate), maximum 20 people. |
The website refers to an external accessibility statement; no details of the route are given.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Cerro
Bus line N18 (Laveno–Leggiuno–Turro–Ispra JRC/Besozzo) from Laveno station; stops Laveno Mombello, Reno/Russolo or Cerro. Timetables at ctpi.it.
By car from Milan: A8 to the Sesto Calende exit, then SP69 towards Laveno Mombello and along the lakefront towards Cerro; from Varese: SP1 della Schiranna as far as Gavirate, then the SP1 variant to Laveno and along the lakefront towards Cerro. Palazzo Perabò is on the lakefront.
Get directionsThe museum has a library with specialist texts on ceramics and a multi-purpose room.
The museum has a multi-purpose room.
| Guided tours | yes |
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| Good to know | Guided tours are led by trained volunteers of the association Amici del MIDeC and require booking by e-mail (segreteria@midec.org) with the date and number of participants; confirmation depends on the availability of a guide. The museum also offers creative workshops and the interactive virtual experience “Nuove Terre”. Animals are not allowed. |
