• Art & Culture

Collegiata Museum

On the highest hill, the church and the baptistery dating back to the fifteenth century dominate the ancient village of Castiglione Olona

Where
Via Cardinal Branda, 1, 21043 Castiglione Olona, Varese
Contacts
+39 0331 858903
Official site

The Tuscan island in Lombardy: this is the famous definition given by the XIX century writer Gabriele d'Annunzio to Castiglione Olona, town that still preserves the character of a Renaissance jewel.

Its origin dates back to the late Roman empire, but the village was reshaped between 1421 and 1441, following the model of the Renaissance "ideal town".

That was made possible by a powerful patron, cardinal Branda Castiglioni, who ranks among the most important personalities of his time: he was a humanist, an art lover, a skilled diplomat and a trusted advisor both to several Popes and to the Emperor Sigismund of Hungary.

The most important monument founded by Branda is the Collegiate church, built on the top of the upper hill of the village, on the site of the ancient castle, which remains of the entrance portal are still visible.

The church, together with the Baptistery, is part of the Collegiate Museum. Both have been decorated by Masolino da Panicale, one of the most important painters in Florence at the time of the transition from International Gothic to Renaissance.

Together with the Sienese Lorenzo di Pietro called "il Vecchietta" and with another Florentine, Paolo Schiavo, who worked with him in the Collegiate apse, Masolino left in Castiglione his masterpiece: the frescoes of the Baptistery, with their fascinating fusion of landscapes and architectures, religious history and Renaissance setting, make the chapel, painted in every centimetre, one of the best achievements of the early Italian Renaissance.

Take me here: Collegiata Museum

Places

Church of Villa

Castiglione Olona (VA)
  • Religious Tourism
Church of Villa
40 mt

Medieveal village of Castiglione Olona

  • Villages
View of a stone arch marking the entrance to the historic center of Castiglione Olona, with a narrow paved street and ancient buildings made of stone and brick.
545 mt

Monastero di torba

The splendid religious architecture stands on the slopes of the hill where the Archaeological Park of Castelseprio is located
  • Unesco Sites
Monastero di Torba
2.89 km

Castelseprio Archaeological Park and Antiquarium

  • Unesco Sites
Rovine presenti all'interno del Parco Archeologico di Castelseprio
3.02 km

Church of Santa Maria foris portas

  • Unesco Sites
Church of Santa Maria foris portas
4.3 km

Frera Motorcycle Museum

  • Cycle Tourism
Frera Motorcycle Museum
5.96 km

Cairate Monastery

Dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta
  • Art & Culture
Cairate Monastery
7.09 km

The Cedar of Villa Mirabello

The majestic tree dominates the historic centre of Varese and leaves anyone standing under its imposing foliage speechless.
  • Art & Culture
The Cedar of Villa Mirabello
7.48 km

Estense Gardens, Villa Mirabello and Civic Archaeological Museum

  • Ville e giardini
Estense Gardens, Villa Mirabello and Civic Archaeological Museum
7.49 km

Basilica di San Vittore

Entering the historical core, walking through the streets of the center you'll be enchanted by the vision of the Basilica
  • Religious Tourism
Basilica di San Vittore, Churches of Varese
7.62 km

Monte San Giorgio

Alla scoperta di Varese e del Monte San Giorgio
  • Itinerari
Monte San Giorgio
7.66 km

Campo dei Fiori Regional Park

  • Itinerari
Campo dei Fiori Regional Park
7.66 km

Arco Mera and Basilica of San Vittore

  • Lifestyle
View of the ceiling of Arco Mera with some zodiac signs and the dome of the Basilica of San Vittore in Varese
7.7 km

Varese: the old town

  • Lifestyle
Varese: the old town
7.7 km

Palazzo Estense

  • Art & Culture
Palazzo Estense
7.73 km

The Gardens of Palazzo Estense

  • Active & Green
The Gardens of Palazzo Estense
7.76 km

Cloister of S. Antonino

One of the most historic places in the centre of Varese, known for the spring blossoming of azalee.
  • Art & Culture
Chiostro di Sant'Antonino - Varese
7.8 km

Waterfalls | Varese Convention & Visitors Bureau

  • Active & Green
Cascate Varese
7.89 km

Ville Ponti

An ancient residential complex owned by a Ponti’s family and now an efficient Congress Centre, property of Varese Chamber of Commerce.
  • Ville e giardini
Ville Ponti
8.29 km

Villa Panza in Varese

A journey through contemporary art and history
  • Ville e giardini
Frontal photograph of Villa Panza in Varese at sunset. The villa’s elegant façade, with green shutters and large windows, is framed by a manicured garden and a central stone pathway leading to the entrance. The atmosphere is peaceful, with soft lighting creating a warm, inviting ambiance.
8.29 km

Activities

Le Robinie Golf Club Resort, Varese - Golf travel

  • Golf
Le Robinie Golf Club Resort, Varese - Golf travel
12.47 km

English Style Riding Weekend

  • Active & Green
English Style Riding Weekend
13.35 km

Where to sleep

B&B LA CORTE DELLE STALLE

Castiglione Olona
B&B LA CORTE DELLE STALLE
39 mt

B&B SAN NICOLA

Castiglione Olona
B&B SAN NICOLA
618 mt

B&B STELLA DEL BORGO

Castiglione Olona
B&B STELLA DEL BORGO
1.16 km

RISTORANTE MARONE CON CAMERE

Vedano Olona
RISTORANTE MARONE CON CAMERE
1.58 km

CASCINA MARTINA

Gornate Olona
CASCINA MARTINA
1.62 km

VILLA ALBA TOSCANA

Gornate Olona
VILLA ALBA TOSCANA
1.68 km

SOL&VERDE

Gornate Olona
SOL&VERDE
2.14 km

AL PESCHERECCIO

Vedano Olona
AL PESCHERECCIO
2.43 km

B&B CA' BIANCA

Venegono Superiore
B&B CA' BIANCA
2.83 km

B&B VICOLO FABBRI

Morazzone
B&B VICOLO FABBRI
2.89 km

B&B AIR GREEN47

Venegono Inferiore
B&B AIR GREEN47
3.14 km

LOCANDA DA SERAFINO

Gazzada Schianno
LOCANDA DA SERAFINO
3.26 km

B&B VILLA MONTEROSA

Castronno
B&B VILLA MONTEROSA
3.53 km

AL SALTO DEL GATTO

Gazzada Schianno
AL SALTO DEL GATTO
3.54 km

B&B DEL VILLAGGIO

Malnate
B&B DEL VILLAGGIO
3.73 km

A CASA DI ALICE

Gazzada Schianno
A CASA DI ALICE
3.82 km

A CASA DI ALICE

Gazzada Schianno
A CASA DI ALICE
3.82 km

AL VECCHIO CONVENTO

Varese
AL VECCHIO CONVENTO
3.98 km

CASA PER VACANZE CASTRONNO

Castronno
CASA PER VACANZE CASTRONNO
4.06 km

B&B VILLA IDA

Carnago
B&B VILLA IDA
4.13 km