Villa Tittoni Traversi

About the museum

Villa Tittoni originates from a Franciscan convent founded in Desio in 1290. In 1651 the Marquis Cusani acquired the convent's property and had a pleasure villa built there, a country residence for Milanese nobles; the project was linked to the architect Giuseppe Piermarini, who was also active at the Villa Reale in Monza, and the English-style garden was designed together with Antonio Villoresi.

In 1817 the property passed to the lawyer Giovanni Battista Traversi, who from 1834 entrusted Pelagio Palagi with transforming the interiors and façades in an eclectic style of classicising taste; a neo-Gothic tower was also built in the park to house the collection of inscribed stones and ancient finds. From 1900 the villa belonged to the Tittoni family: Tommaso Tittoni, statesman and diplomat, hosted conferences and personalities there and had the monumental staircase completed by Luca Beltrami.

After the First World War the villa fell into decline and its furnishings were dispersed. After the war it was donated to the Saverians, who used it as a seminary. The Comune di Desio bought the park in 1952 and the villa in 1975.

Today the villa is municipal property and houses the civic library and, since 1999, the Donazione Museale Giuseppe Scalvini, a permanent display of sculptures, drawings and prints by the Milanese artist; guided tours, exhibitions, concerts and events also take place there.

Highlights

• Donazione Museale Giuseppe Scalvini: 36 sculptures, charcoal drawings and prints
• Architecture linked to Piermarini and eclectic interiors by Pelagio Palagi
• Monumental staircase completed by Luca Beltrami
• Neo-Renaissance chapel of the villa
• Historic English-style park with over 700 trees and the fountain with the statue of Neptune

Permanent exhibition

• Donazione Museale Giuseppe Scalvini – Permanent display of thirty-six sculptures by the Milanese sculptor Giuseppe Scalvini (1908–2003), with sixteen charcoal drawings and some prints, housed in the villa since 1999.

Founded

1999

Operated by

Comune di Desio

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

By car from the Valassina (Milan–Lecco), exit Desio Centro.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The rooms of the villa can be rented for weddings, ceremonies, corporate events, music events and photo shoots.

Plan your visit