Museo Comunale d’Arte Moderna
Art museum in a palazzo in the Borgo of Ascona with the municipal collection and the largest holding of works by Marianne Werefkin.
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About the museum
The municipal collection began in 1922: the artists living in Ascona donated works to the town so that a municipal museum could be created. Marianne Werefkin contributed paintings by Jawlensky, Amiet and Klee in addition to her own works. For decades there was no permanent solution for the premises. After Werefkin’s death in 1938, the Werefkin Foundation was established in 1939, and in 1967 it received its own museum in the palazzo on Via Borgo.
The municipal museum moved to the first floor of the same building in 1970. After a thorough renovation in 1979/80, the present museum opened on 18 April 1981; since then it has displayed the municipal collection and the collection of the Werefkin Foundation in the late Renaissance palazzo in the heart of the Borgo.
The collection includes works by the artists’ group “Der Grosse Bär”, founded in 1924, as well as by artists such as Jawlensky, Klee, Segal, Bissier, Nicholson and Marino Marini, along with the estates of Carl Weidemeyer, Charlotte Bara and Anna Iduna Zehnder. The Werefkin Foundation owns about 90 paintings and 170 sketchbooks by the artist. The Richard and Uli Seewald Foundation is also housed here. Together with the Museo Castello San Materno, the building forms the municipal art museums of Ascona.
Highlights
- Largest collection of works by Marianne Werefkin, with about 90 paintings and 170 sketchbooks
- Municipal collection with Jawlensky, Amiet and Klee from the founding period in 1922
- Works by the artists’ group “Der Grosse Bär”
- Richard and Uli Seewald Foundation with works by Klee, Marc and Kubin
- Palazzo from the late 16th century in the heart of the Borgo of Ascona
- Founded
- 1981
- Operated by
- Gemeinde Ascona
- Director
- Mara Folini
- Visitors per year
- approx. 6,500 (2024)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 7AHV pensioners, students, groups of 15 or more |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Young people up to 18 years of age have free admission. |
| Seniors | CHF 7AHV pensioners |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 7 |
| Groups (15+ people) | CHF 7 per personGroups of 15 or more. Tours for groups of up to 20 people by reservation only: CHF 150 plus the reduced admission fee per participant. |
| Combined ticket Museo Comunale d’Arte Moderna and Museo Castello San Materno (valid for 7 days) | CHF 16Reduced CHF 11.20 |
Payment is also possible in euros and by credit or debit card.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Ascona Borgo
Bus no. 1 from Locarno towards Losone Sottochiesa to Ascona Centro; from Losone, bus no. 1 towards Gordola Centro Professionale to Ascona Borgo.
By car
Parking available
Municipal car park (autosilo comunale) on Piazza Caglioni.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Museum shop; items can also be ordered by phone or email (museo@ascona.ch).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Tours for groups of up to 20 people by reservation only. Primary schools are offered educational programmes with workshops. |
