Masnago Castle, Medieval castle and modern art museum in Varese, Italy
Masnago Castle is a medieval fortress that now functions as an art museum in Varese. The building features an original tower, rooms decorated with Gothic frescoes, and multiple additions that show how it expanded and changed over time from the 11th through 18th centuries.
The castle originated in medieval times and the Castiglioni family owned it from the 15th century until the early 20th century. It then passed to Angelo Mantegazza, which shaped its later use and preservation.
The castle displays works by painters from the Lombardy region and houses a collection reflecting local artistic traditions. The rooms give a sense of what artwork the inhabitants valued and collected over the centuries.
The castle is open several days each week, with morning and afternoon hours for visitors. It helps to check opening times ahead of arrival and plan your visit according to time of day and season.
Two rooms of the castle contain frescoes from the 15th century that were only rediscovered in 1938 and depict scenes of castle life. These paintings show everyday activities and moral lessons that interested the castle inhabitants at the time.
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