The village of Castiglione Olona has ancient origins. It was a fortress in Roman times and later the village became the subject of a fierce dispute between the Visconti and Torriani families as they fought for years to gain control over the area around the banks of the River Olona.
Entering the village you'll step back in tiem: you can't miss the Church of the Most Holy Body of Christ, also known as the Villa Church, Palazzo Branda Castiglioni, remains of the door that once led into the ancient castle and the Collegiata church compound with the church and baptistery. The chruch was built in the Gothic-Lombard style with a Latin cross ground plan, and dedicated in 1425 to the Virgin Mary and to St. Stefano and St. Lawrence. Inside there are three naves and remarkable frescoes of the life of the Virgin Mary by Masolino da Panicale on the sides of the apse, which also features some frescoes of the Tuscan school.
The small museum of the Collegiata shows some precious sacred items and some important masterpieces.
If you're visiting the village during the summer don't miss the Palio dei Castelli that take place in Monteruzzo Castle, an event to remember the medieval times and history of Castiglione Olona and its inhabitants.
Inside the Palazzo dei Castiglioni in Monteruzzo, the MAP, or the Plastic Art Museum, was inaugurated in June 2004; inside it is possible to admire an original collection of more than fifty works from the seventies. The great success of plastic materials led to the creation of "Polimero Arte", an aesthetic research center and a laboratory equipped with technologies and qualified personnel from Mazzucchelli Celluloide, the most important factory in Italy in the production and processing of plastic material. Well-known artists of the time participated and many of their works were exhibited at prestigious national and international exhibitions.
INFO OF BRANDA CASTIGLIONI MUSEUM and MAP (PLASTIC ART MUSEUM)
ADDRESS: Piazza Garibaldi - Castiglione Olona / via Roma, 29 - Castiglione Olona (MAP, Museo Arte Plastica)
OPENING HOURS:
From 1 October 2022:
1 October 2023 to 31 March 2024:
- Wednesday to Saturday: 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
- Sunday: 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
- First Sunday of the month: 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
From 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024
- Wednesday to Saturday 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
- Sunday and public holidays: 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
Last admission half an hour before closing
Mondays: closed
TICKETS:
- Full ticket (Branda Castiglioni Museum + MAP Plastic Art Museum): € 3
- Reduced ticket (children aged 6 to 14 and minimum 20 people): € 2
- free admission for children up to 6 years and for residents of Castiglione Olona
Dog of small size allowed if hold in arms, in compliance with the hygiene and public safety rules*
*Information by the Museum. For any other question please check the guidelines of the Museum
INFO OF MUSEO DELLA COLLEGIATA
ADDRESS: via Cardinal Brenda - Castiglione Olona
OPENING HOURS:
1 October 2023 to 31 March 2024:
- Wednesday to Saturday: 9:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.- 5:30 p.m.
- Sundays and public holidays: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
- First Sunday of the month: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
From 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024
- Wednesday to Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
- Sundays and public holidays: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
- First Sunday of the month: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Last admission half an hour before closing
Special opening for groups (reservation required): Tuesday
Mondays: closed
SPECIAL HOURS
- Friday 8th December and Saturday 6th January: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
- Tuesday 26th December special opening: 3:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
- Closed Sunday 24th, Monday 25th, Sunday 31st December and Monday 1st January 2024
TICKETS:
- Full ticket: € 6
- Reduced ticket (children aged 6 to 18 and minimum 20 people, religious, journalists with an order card): € 4
- Family ticket (2 adults + 2 or more children): € 16
- Free ticket: children under 6, disabled people, residents of Castiglione, visiting teachers with schoolchildren, art history students and qualified tourist guides
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ATTENTION: FOR ANY TIME CHANGES AND REGULATIONS IN FORCE, PLEASE VISIT THE RELEVANT ORGANISATION'S ONLINE SITE.
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