Villa e Collezione Panza

About the museum

The villa stands on the Biumo hill, a few kilometres from the centre of Varese. Built as a country house at the end of the 16th century and partly renovated in the mid-18th century, in 1823 it passed to Duke Pompeo Litta Visconti Arese, who commissioned Luigi Canonica to revise the architecture of the park and the building. After the death of the Litta heirs it was bought in 1935 by Ernesto Panza.

It was however his son Giuseppe Panza (1923–2010) who transformed it radically: a visionary collector, from 1955 until his death he assembled more than 2,500 works of European and American contemporary art inspired by the themes of light and colour, of which about 150 are still on display. In 1996 Giuseppe and Giovanna Panza di Biumo donated the villa to the FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano, the Italian National Trust).

The collection has been open to the public since 2000, and in 2022 it was enriched by the donation of 108 works by Rosa Giovanna Panza. Today the villa houses the largest European collection of the Panza legacy, second only to the Guggenheim in New York. The former stables and coach houses host site-specific installations by artists such as Robert Irwin and James Turrell; the Italian garden completes the visit.

Highlights

• Panza collection of contemporary art
• Site-specific installations by Robert Irwin and James Turrell in the former stables
• Italian garden
• Antique furnishings in dialogue with contemporary works
• African and pre-Columbian art
• Donation of 108 works from 2022

Permanent exhibition

• Collezione Panza – Works of European and American contemporary art devoted to light and colour, with the installations in the stables.

Founded

1800

Operated by

FAI – Fondo per l'Ambiente Italiano

Visitors per year

approx. 47,288

Admission & discounts

Self-guided visit to the villa, park and temporary exhibition: full price €15, FAI members €5. The ticket includes the audio guide, downloadable to your phone (Italian and English; you need your own earphones). Journalists free with accreditation. Online tickets with no additional costs.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• 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 property is listed as an accessible place; it is accessible to deaf visitors and to people with intellectual disabilities thanks to the projects “Sentire l'arte” and “Bene FAI per tutti”.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

Family ticket for two adults and children aged 6 to 18; children up to 5 years free.

Getting there & parking

By car via the Autostrada dei Laghi (A8) from Milan to Varese centre, then follow the signs for the Villa. Taxi arrangement with Radio Taxi Varese +39 0332 241800.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi available. Bookshop (during the display works relocated to the ticket office); purchases support the FAI.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

A Private Events section is on the property's page.

Plan your visit