The Castello di Masnago (Masnago castle) is on a high ground dominating the homonymous village. Over the centuries, several sections have been added to the initial nucleus in an attempt to gradually modify the castle’s original aspect to make it more similar to that of a villa. This is particularly obvious by the façade, which faces south towards the large park (Mantegazza Park) and has a steep flight of baroque steps.
The Castello di Masnago: history
The majestic building was owned by the Castiglioni family from the 14th century to the beginning of the 20th century, was later purchased by the Mantegazza family, and was then sold to the Panza family who in turn transferred it to the Municipality of Varese, which set up the Municipal Art Gallery there. The specific construction date of the castle as we see it today is not known, but we do know that the place was certainly fortified during the Middle Ages, as demonstrated by the massive square tower (still visible today) dating back to the 12th century.
The tour of the Castello di Masnago
Access from the ticket office is to the rooms on the left, which were added in the 17th century (temporary exhibits are often held here) and then to an inner courtyard.
It is here in the left corner that the mighty bare-stone tower rises, decorated with battlements added later and dating back to the 19th century. The tower was likely used for sighting and signalling, in connection with other towers in the area.
On the opposite side is the original body of the complex, whose battlement is covered by the roof and large 15th-century windows.
Visitors must return to the ticket office to visit the most valuable treasure in the castle: two series of frescoes rediscovered in 1937 by the owner at the time, Angelo Mantegazza. This composition of international Gothic expression is one of the few examples of surviving profane frescoes in Lombardy [we point out the ones in the Sala della Giustizia (Hall of Justice) at Rocca di Angera (Angera fort)] and has many similarities with those of the Giochi (Games) in Palazzo Borromeo in Milan. The ground floor is home to a hall with a 15th-century series of frescoes painted around 1460 by the school of Bembo or of Moretti.
The Municipal Art Gallery and the Civic Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
The halls in the castle (which were renovated from 1982-1991) are home to the Civic Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Exhibits on the first floor include canvases from Lombardy and northern Italy from the 17th-19th centuries, with works standing out by artists such as Morazzone, Procaccino, Hayez and Magatti. 20th-century Lombard paintings and contemporary art collections are on the second floor and include works by Giacomo Balla, Mario Sironi, Innocente Salvini, Eugenio Pellini, Lucio Fontana, Renato Guttuso, Enrico Bay, and Bruno Munari.
Photo gallery Castello di Masnago
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