Museo delle Culture (MUSEC)
MUSEC in the Villa Malpensata on Lake Lugano shows the art and cultures of Asia, Oceania and Africa, starting from the Brignoni collection.
No sound? Check your device’s silent switch.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum opened on 23 September 1989 thanks to the donation of the Ticino artist Serge Brignoni (1903–2002). From the 1930s to the mid-1980s he had collected non-European art and in 1985 left his collection to the city of Lugano. Its first home was the neoclassical Villa Heleneum on the lakeshore, surrounded by a botanical park. Founded as the “Museo delle Culture Extraeuropee”, the museum has borne the name “Museo delle Culture” since a decision by the city council in January 2007.
Since 2019 the museum has been run by the Fondazione culture e musei, which preserves its identity and independence. In the same context it moved to the restored Villa Malpensata; the works had begun in 2014 and included, besides the villa, two outbuildings for offices and the research and documentation centre, as well as the terraced garden with outdoor areas, a café corner and a raised terrace.
The rooms are equipped to international climatic and museum-technical standards. There are three spaces for temporary exhibitions (Spazio Maraini, Spazio Cielo and the Spazio Mostre) as well as the Spazio Tesoro at the entrance, accessible free of charge, with masterpieces from the collections. Besides Brignoni, the holdings include further donations and loans, such as the Reichelt collection (textiles of the Lesser Sunda Islands) and the Morigi collection (samurai armour). A library and archive are attached.
Highlights
- Spazio Tesoro with highlights of the collections, free admission
- Brignoni collection on the art of Oceania and other cultures
- Samurai armour from the Morigi collection
- Textiles of the Lesser Sunda Islands (Reichelt collection)
- Villa Malpensata right on the lakeshore with garden and café corner
Permanent exhibition
- Spazio Tesoro – The free space at the entrance shows changing highlights of the Brignoni, Reichelt (textiles of the Lesser Sunda Islands) and Morigi (samurai) collections, as well as the art of the Naga of northern India.
- Founded
- 1989
- Operated by
- Fondazione culture e musei (Stadt Lugano)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 15 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 10AHV/IV, university students, FAI Swiss, ISIC card |
| Children & teens | CHF 5free up to age 5 · Children and young people aged 6 to 15 |
| Seniors | CHF 10AHV/IV |
| Visitors with disabilities | CHF 10IV |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 10University students, ISIC card |
| Groups (10+ people) | –10% discount on admission for groups of 10 or more. School classes pay CHF 3 per pupil, two accompanying persons free. |
| MUSEC Mondays: adults (aged 16 and over) | CHF 10Every Monday, instead of CHF 15 |
| MUSEC Mondays: reduced | CHF 7AHV/IV, students, FAI Swiss; instead of CHF 10 |
| MUSEC Mondays: children and young people (aged 6–15) | CHF 3.50Instead of CHF 5 |
| Guided tour for groups | CHF 150School classes CHF 120 |
| Opening outside opening hours | CHF 80Price per hour, in 30-minute units; without admission and tour |
Free admission: The Spazio Tesoro in the entrance area is accessible free of charge.
Children up to 5 free. Free admission with ICOM, VSM-AMS and Visarte membership, Swiss Museum Pass, Raiffeisen “Member Plus” card and Swiss Travel Pass. 20% discount with the MyLugano Card, Holiday Card and Ticino Ticket (not cumulative). The museum accepts the AG Cultura Pass and the Culture Pass Lugano Region; subscribers to the Corriere del Ticino and the Tessiner Zeitung receive 30% off admission, tours and the shop.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Exhibition rooms, toilets and library are wheelchair accessible. Access is via a ramp in the park from Via Giuseppe Mazzini; wheelchair users travelling alone should call ahead so that staff can assist. A reserved parking space is at Via Giuseppe Mazzini 5. Only recognised assistance dogs are allowed in the building.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Stroller-friendly
- Kids’ birthday parties
The FAMILY LAB programmes combine a short tour with creative activities for children and families, each matched to the current exhibitions. The museum is accessible with pushchairs; children's birthday parties are possible.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Malpensata
Lugano station (SBB) about a 10-minute walk; funicular “La Sasselina” from Piazza Cioccaro; TPL bus line 1 to “Malpensata” or line 4 to “Bressanella”.
By car
Parking available · 5-min walk to the entrance
Street parking along Via Giuseppe Mazzini (white zone paid, blue zone with parking disc); Central Park and LAC car parks about 5 minutes on foot.
- Accessible parking
Access only via the main entrance from the garden, reachable from Riva Caccia (lakeside promenade) or from Via G. Mazzini; enter “Via Giuseppe Mazzini 5, Lugano” in your satnav.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
Café and relaxation corner in the garden; bookshop and boutique.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Indoor and outdoor spaces of the Villa Malpensata for conferences, workshops, corporate and private events and children's birthday parties; can also be combined with tours.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Group tours in Italian, German, French and English by registration only (info@musec.ch). The museum offers educational programmes for schools. |
