Casorella

About the museum

The museum is housed in the Casorella, a narrow, long palazzo that the knight Andrea Lussi had built around 1580 to 1590. The name derives from the short form "Casa degli Orelli", after the Locarno noble family that later took over the house. Its special features include a Salone d'Onore with a stucco ceiling and a painting of the Judgment of Paris from 1773, a 16th-century fireplace, and a loggia with stucco work and an 18th-century ceiling fresco.

The Art Collections of the City of Locarno comprise around 4,500 works, including paintings, sculptures and prints. Their core was formed in 1965 with a donation from the artist couple Jean and Marguerite Arp; further bequests followed later, such as that of the Locarno publisher Nesto Jacometti. After extensive restoration and reorganisation, the building opened in 2019 as the new home of these collections, replacing their previous accommodation in the Casa Rusca.

On the ground floor, the permanent exhibition presents the "Galassia Arp" with sculptures, reliefs, paintings and tapestries by Jean Arp as well as works by his companions in European modernism. In addition there are landscapes by the Locarno painter Filippo Franzoni, ranging between realism and symbolism. Outside, the "Giardino Max Bill" forms a small sculpture park with works in granite, bronze and steel.

Highlights

• Galassia Arp: collection with works by Jean Arp and artists of European modernism
• Paintings by Filippo Franzoni, Locarno's best-known painter
• Giardino Max Bill: sculpture garden with works in granite, bronze and steel
• Renaissance palazzo with Salone d'Onore and a stucco-decorated loggia
• Combined ticket with the Castello Visconteo and the Museo Casa Rusca

Permanent exhibitions

• Galassia Arp – Sculptures, reliefs, paintings and tapestries by Jean Arp with works by companions such as Klee, Max Ernst, Sophie Taeuber-Arp and Mondrian; the focus is on abstract art of the 20th century.
• Filippo Franzoni – Paintings by Locarno's best-known painter (1857–1911) ranging between realism and symbolism, mainly landscapes from Lake Maggiore to the valleys.
• Giardino Max Bill – Sculpture garden outside the museum with works by Max Bill in granite, bronze and steel.

Operated by

Città di Locarno (Servizi Culturali)

Admission & discounts

Free admission with Raiffeisen card, Museum Pass, ICOM, VKKS, Visarte and membership of the Association of Friends of the Casa Rusca. Discount with Locarno Card, the MyClub app of Ascona-Locarno, Ticino Ticket, Cultural Pass Ascona-Locarno, Pedibus Ticino and Pass Tipsweek; discounts cannot be combined.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• 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 museum is partially accessible to people with disabilities; the museum asks visitors to call before their visit so that the necessary assistance can be prepared.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum offers school classes art education with a workshop; children and young people up to 18 years have free admission.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located next to the Castello Visconteo and is about a quarter of an hour's walk from Locarno railway station.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Bookshop of the Musei Civici Locarno.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Events are possible in the Musei Civici from Tuesday to Sunday outside opening hours (Salone d'Onore by arrangement); the museum does not offer catering itself. Enquiries via a form of the Servizi Culturali.

Plan your visit