Castello Visconteo – Museo civico e archeologico

About the museum

Castello Visconteo is Locarno’s most important historic building. A fortress probably stood here as early as antiquity and certainly in the Middle Ages; in the 15th century it was the seat of the Counts Rusca, vassals of the Dukes of Milan. In 1507 it was reinforced with the ravelin, which may go back to Leonardo da Vinci. After the Swiss Confederates conquered it in 1513, most of it was demolished; the tower and residential building remained as the seat of the Landvogt (bailiffs) until 1798. In 1549 the disputation between Reformed and Catholics took place here, which led to the expulsion of the Protestants of Locarno.

After 1803 the castle served as the seat of the cantonal authorities, later as a prison and school. In 1921 the town bought it, and by 1926 it had been restored under Edoardo Berta. In the 1930s it became the home of the Museo civico.

Today the museum presents an archaeological exhibition on the Locarnese from the Bronze Age to the Roman era with one of the most important collections of Roman glass, as well as vases from southern Italy, Romanesque reliefs in the lapidarium, 18th-century costumes and porcelain, and an exhibition on the 1925 Locarno Pact. The tower offers a view over the town.

Highlights

• Archaeological collection of the Locarnese from the Bronze Age to the Roman era
• Collection of Roman glass from Ticino
• Exhibition on the Locarno Pact (1925)
• Apulian vases from the Carlo Rossi donation
• Lapidarium with Romanesque reliefs and a tower with views of the town

Permanent exhibitions

• Archäologische Ausstellung – Finds from the Locarnese from the 13th century BC to the 4th century AD; the highlight is the large collection of Roman glass from the region’s burial grounds.
• Ausstellung zum Pakt von Locarno – Documentation on the 1925 peace conference and the “Spirit of Locarno”, which ushered in a brief phase of cooperation in Europe.

Operated by

Città di Locarno – Dicastero Cultura

Admission & discounts

Free admission with a Raiffeisen card, Museum Pass, ICOM, VKKS, Visarte and for members of the Friends of Casa Rusca association. Discount with the Locarno Card (residents), the Ascona-Locarno MyClub app, the Ticino Ticket, the Ascona-Locarno Cultural Pass, the Pedibus Ticino and the Tipsweek pass; 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

According to its website, the museum is partially accessible; a phone call before your visit is recommended so that any necessary assistance can be arranged.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Kids’ birthday parties

For families with children aged 5 to 12, a free game kit, “Dov’è finita la Contessa?” (treasure hunt), comes with the ticket; there is also a library for families in the castle and children’s birthday parties with a programme.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with bookshop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Rooms for events and team building on request via a form from the Locarno city museums.

Plan your visit