Villa Cicogna Mozzoni
Renaissance pleasure villa in Bisuschio with 12 frescoed rooms, furniture and paintings from various periods and a terraced garden with a water staircase.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Villa Cicogna Mozzoni began as a hunting lodge (casino di caccia) of the Mozzoni family, built before 1440 in the Valceresio, which was then rich in bears and wild boar. A hunt in 1476 became famous: the Duke of Milan, Galeazzo Maria Sforza, a guest of the Mozzoni, was saved from a bear by Agostino Mozzoni and his dog, and the family gained privileges and prestige from it.
Between about 1530 and 1560 Ascanio Mozzoni extended the building with a second wing, transforming it into a U-shaped pleasure villa. The halls and loggias were frescoed by artists close to the school of the Campi brothers of Cremona, and the Renaissance garden was laid out around 1560 on several levels, with a wall of porous stone, fishponds, fountains and a famous water staircase rising towards the belvedere. Higher up, the formal garden opens into a romantic park.
In 1581 the heiress Angela Mozzoni married Gian Pietro Cicogna, and the two families were united under the name Cicogna Mozzoni. Their descendants still own the house and look after it personally.
Since 1957 the villa has been open to visitors: a guided tour leads through the 12 frescoed rooms of the piano nobile (main floor), furnished with furniture, paintings and objects from different periods, and through the garden, which is part of the Grandi Giardini Italiani circuit. The villa also hosts concerts, cultural events and ceremonies.
Highlights
- 12 rooms fully frescoed in 1559–1563 and furnished with pieces from various periods
- Loggias and honour courtyard with frescoes by the school of the Campi brothers
- Multi-level Renaissance garden with a large porous-stone wall and fishponds
- 16th-century water staircase of 156 steps up to the belvedere
- Romantic park above the formal garden
Permanent exhibition
- Sale affrescate e giardino rinascimentale – Guided visit of the 12 frescoed rooms of the piano nobile, furnished with furniture, paintings and objects from various periods, and of the terraced garden with its water staircase.
- Operated by
- Amministrazione Villa Cicogna Mozzoni S.a.s.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €8 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €7FAI and Touring Club members |
| Groups (20+ people) | €6 per personGroups of at least 20 people |
| Garden only | €5 |
| School groups (at least 20 people) | €4 |
2026 season prices published by the Grandi Giardini Italiani circuit; booking is optional but recommended.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
For nursery, primary and middle schools, theatre routes through the villa and garden with wireless headphones, lasting about 2 hours, are planned in spring.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Car park at the entrance to the village, a few metres from the church of Bisuschio.
From Milan take the Milan–Varese motorway, exit Gazzada, then follow the signs for Porto Ceresio on the SS 344 via Induno Olona and Arcisate. From Lugano, go via Ponte Tresa and Porto Ceresio, then follow the signs for Varese.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Groups of visitors can book a buffet lunch in a room on the ground floor.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Weddings / ceremonies
The rooms and garden can be rented for wedding receptions, gala dinners, civil ceremonies, photo shoots and film shoots; site visits by appointment, Monday to Saturday.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The visit is guided and includes the 12 frescoed rooms and the garden. For groups of more than 15 people on weekdays, tours are possible in German, English and French. Bookings at info@villacicognamozzoni.it or +39 347 277 5981. For schools, from April to June, visits with theatre animation lasting about 2 hours are offered. |
