Masnago Castle

Masnago Castle was built in medieval times and was conceived as a fortification, as evidenced by the imposing square tower, dating back to the 12th century. The tower, connected to other towers located in the Varese area, was used for sightings and reports.

Over the years the Castle was affected by various modification and expansion works, in fact new buildings were built and the appearance of the Castle was made as close as possible to that of a villa, in particular as regards the part that is overlooking the Mantegazza Park.

Inside the castle there are splendid frescoes in the International Gothic style, made at the behest of the Castiglioni family.

The frescoes can be admired in the Sala degli Svaghi and in the Sala dei Vizi e delle Virtù and respectively represent scenes of outdoor life and entertainment in the Varese landscape, which constitute a cross-section of the courteous life of the owners of the Castle and female figures who symbolize the vices and virtues, explanatory of the moral conduct of the owners.

The frescoes were made around the mid-fifteenth century, but were only discovered in 1938 and constitute a highly articulated decorative complex.

Museo Civico

Since 1995 the Masnago Castle has been the seat of the Civic Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Varese and includes masterpieces by important painters such as Pellizza da Volpedo, Balla and Fontana.