Palazzo Branda Castiglioni

About the museum

Palazzo Branda Castiglioni was the residence of Cardinal Branda Castiglioni, who from the 15th century transformed the whole village of Castiglione Olona into an early example of an “ideal city” of Humanism. The building faces the small square of the old village and consists of two blocks dating from the 14th and 15th centuries, joined by a third section which encloses, on the lower floor, the Cappella di San Martino and, on the piano nobile (main floor), a rare Renaissance loggia with a cycle of Illustrious Men by an artist of the Sienese school.

In 1435 Masolino da Panicale frescoed the room known as the “studiolo del Cardinale” with a landscape that tradition identifies with Veszprém in Hungary, where the prelate had been count and papal legate. The so-called “camera del Cardinale”, painted in 1423 by an unknown artist of the Lombard school, shows fruit trees, putti and mottoes taken from Latin authors, while the cardinal’s chapel was frescoed in 1437 by Lorenzo di Pietro, known as Vecchietta.

The cardinal’s descendants enriched the palace with family portraits and precious furnishings. After the purchase from the last descendant, Count Ludovico Castiglioni, by the municipality of Castiglione Olona around the 1980s, the private residence became a civic museum.

Highlights

• Studiolo del Cardinale frescoed by Masolino in 1435
• Cardinal’s chapel frescoed by Lorenzo di Pietro, known as Vecchietta
• Renaissance loggia with the cycle of Illustrious Men
• Camera del Cardinale with late Gothic decoration
• Family portraits and furnishings of the cardinal’s descendants

Permanent exhibition

• Palazzo Branda Castiglioni, museo civico – Rooms frescoed by Masolino and Vecchietta, a Renaissance loggia, the cardinal’s chapel and furnishings of the Castiglioni family.

Founded

1500

Operated by

Comune di Castiglione Olona

Visitors per year

approx. 7,500

Admission & discounts

The ticket is also valid for the [MAP] Museo Arte Plastica. Free admission for residents of Castiglione Olona.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• 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

Due to restoration work and the removal of architectural barriers, the museum is temporarily not accessible to wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

From the A8 Milan–Varese motorway, take the Gazzada/Varese Est exit and follow the signs for Castiglione Olona – Borgo Antico.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit