Museum of Cultures

The Museum of Cultures occupies Villa Malpensata and displays collections of ethnographic works, oriental objects, and historical photographs across several exhibition spaces. The rooms present pieces from different parts of Asia and the Pacific region side by side.

The institution was founded in 1989 based on Serge Brignoni's collection of artworks from the Far East, India, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. This created a place to make these works publicly accessible.

The collections reflect how different societies express their traditions through art and craft, offering visitors insight into the values embedded in objects from across the world. Walking through the rooms, you encounter handmade pieces that show the skills and aesthetic choices of people from varied backgrounds.

The museum is open from Wednesday through Monday, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with different areas offering various ways to experience the collection. Some sections like Spazio Tesoro provide free access, giving visitors flexible options.

The museum preserves a digitized collection of hand-painted Japanese photographs from the 1800s, a technique rarely found elsewhere. These images showcase artistic methods that are seldom practiced today.

Location: Lugano

Inception: September 23, 1989

Official opening: September 23, 1989

Part of: list of cultural properties in Lugano

Address: Riva Caccia 5

Opening Hours: Wednesday-Monday 11:00-18:00; Tuesday off

Phone: +41588666960

Email: info.mcl@lugano.ch

Website: https://musec.ch

GPS coordinates: 45.99635,8.94665

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:01