Palazzo dei Musei – Pinacoteca di Varallo e Museo Calderini

About the museum

The Palazzo dei Musei in Varallo brings together two institutions born from the commitment of civil society in the Valsesia: the Pinacoteca and the Museo Calderini. The building has housed the Scuola di Disegno (1778), the Società d'Incoraggiamento allo Studio del Disegno (1831), the Scuola Barolo for wood carving (1838) and the Società per la Conservazione delle Opere d'Arte e dei Monumenti in Valsesia (1875). In 1886 the Pinacoteca was founded from an initial core of works gathered for the Esposizione Artistica Valsesiana (Valsesian Art Exhibition).

The Pinacoteca later expanded its collections, with rearrangements in 1960 and from 2002 onwards. It holds works by Gaudenzio Ferrari and the Valsesian Renaissance, by Tanzio da Varallo and the early 17th century, the late 17th century and the 18th century, the 19th century and the early 20th century, as well as the Franchi and Remogna collections.

The Museo Calderini, founded by Pietro Calderini and opened in 1867 as the Museum of Natural History, expanded to include archaeological, ethnographic and humanities collections. After closing around 1990, it reopened in 2017 with the natural science hall; in 2023 the ethnographic and Egyptology rooms were inaugurated.

Highlights

• Pinacoteca with works by Gaudenzio Ferrari
• Hall dedicated to Tanzio da Varallo
• Francesco Franchi and Remogna collections
• Museo Calderini with natural science hall
• Ethnographic and Egyptology rooms opened in 2023

Permanent exhibitions

• Pinacoteca di Varallo – Works by Gaudenzio Ferrari, Tanzio da Varallo and Valsesian artists from the Renaissance to the early 20th century, with the Franchi and Remogna collections.
• Museo Calderini – Natural science hall and ethnographic and Egyptology rooms, which grew out of the old Museum of Natural History of Pietro Calderini.

Founded

1886

Operated by

Società di Incoraggiamento allo Studio del Disegno e di Conservazione delle Opere d'Arte in Valsesia APS

Visitors per year

approx. 4,539

Admission & discounts

Free admission also for members of the Società di Incoraggiamento allo Studio del Disegno, holders of the Abbonamento Musei Piemonte e Valle d'Aosta, tour guides with a group, and holders of the CR Asti voucher. Guided tours and educational activities by booking.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• 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

Museum accessible to people with motor disabilities; lift with Braille call buttons, emergency exits usable by people with disabilities, and visual and audible alarm signals in case of danger.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Educational routes for schools, birthday parties at the museum and an escape room (Varade) are available.

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

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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