Type

Regularly open

where

Piazza Litta, 1 VARESE

contacts

+39 0332 283960

faibiumo@fondoambiente.it

FAN PAGE

Accessibility

Overview

A 18th century mansion, whose windows look out on a magnificent Italian garden, hosts one of the foremost collections of contemporary American art, as well as international exhibitions.

LEGGI LA VERSIONE ITALIANA

Villa Panza was bequeathed to FAI by Giuseppe and Giovanna Panza di Biumo in 1996.A worldwide known centre for contemporary art, Villa Panza dates back to the 18th century, when Marquis Paolo Antonio Menafoglio chose the top of Biumo Hill, in the city of Varese, as the ideal place to build his country residence.The mansion was expanded and renovated by Luigi Canonica at the beginning of the 19th century and Piero Portaluppi in the 30s of the last century. Its character changed during the 50s, when Count Giuseppe Panza began amassing a collection of contemporary art that over time has become famous all over the world. More than 150 works by American artists, mostly exploring the concepts of light and colour, are harmoniously combined with ancient rooms, Renaissance furniture and precious collections of African and pre-Columbian artifacts. A perfect balance reflecting the prescience and sensibility of the collector, Count Giuseppe Panza, who regarded the crystalline and almost transcendent light of the site as the key concept for his research.The stable block is particularly significative in this respect: a temple dedicated to light art, this astonishing gallery hosts environmental site-specific works by Dan Flavin, of whose art the Panza Collection boasts the largest number of continuously exhibited pieces, James Turrell and Robert Irwin. An exhibition venue of international prominence, Villa Panza offers a rich aesthetic experience to both adults and children, who have access to a programme of activities specifically designed for them. It is the ideal place to spend a day surrounded by art, whether it be visiting the building, walking in the park among the Land Art installations, or enjoying a meal at the haute cuisine restaurant “Luce”.

Visitor information

Opening time

Villa Panza is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Ticket Office closes at 5:15 p.m.

Closed on Mondays

How to get here

By car

A8 Highway from Milan to Varese city center. Follow the signposts to Villa Panza.

Taxi service to Villa Panza from Varese Railway Stations and City Hotels:

Taxi companies:CONSORZIO ARTIGIANI VARESE TRASPORTO PERSONERADIO TAXI VARESE

For information and fares: Tel. 0332 24 18 00

By Rail

Frequent service to Varese from Milan (Porta Garibaldi), Milan (Cadorna), Como, Lugano and Malpensa Airport.

Fast trains depart Milan Porta Garibaldi station every day at 32 minutes past each hour. Journey time: 55 minutes.

From the city bus stop outside Varese FS train station, take route A showing Biumo Superiore as the destination.

Villa Panza is at the last stop. Journey time: approx. 10 minutes.

For train times, visit the website of the service operator, Trenord.

Parking

Fee: 3€ per day
Free for FAI members

Tickets

Admission to Villa Panza and Gardens >> BOOK HERE

FAI Members: Free
Adults: €15
Kids up to age 5: Free
Minors aged 6 - 18: €7
Students up to age 25: €10
Family (2 Adults + 2 Kids/Minors): €35

Admission to Villa Panza and Gardens and Guided Tour > > BOOK HERE

Availability: Saturdays and Sundays

FAI Members: €4
Adults: €18
Kids up to age 5: Free
Minors aged 6 - 18: €7
Students up to age 25: €14
Family (2 Adults + 2 Kids/Minors): €40

Admission to Gardens Only >> No Booking Required. Purchase Admission at the Ticket Office

FAI Members: Free
Adults: €5
Kids up to age 5: Free
Minors aged 6 - 18: €1
Students up to age 25: €3
Family (2 Adults + 2 Kids/Minors): €10
Residents of Varese City: €3

Admission is FREE for National Trust members; Bienfaiteurs Amis du Louvre; and Visitors with Disabilities and an Accompanying Person.

Groups: Reduced rates apply for groups of up to a maximum of 30 people. To request a group rate, click here.

*Except during special events, when group visitors pay only the event surcharge.

Admission rates may vary during special events.

Guided Tours

Guided Tours are available for groups of up to a maximum of 20 people.

To request a group rate, click here.

Guided Tours to the Permanent Collection (Villa and Storehouses) are available at the following rates:

Guided Tours in Italian: € 100
Guided Tours in other languages: € 130

Visits for schools

Visit our dedicated website FAI Scuola for information on our educational offering

Shopping

Your purchases in our Bookshop provide tangible support for FAI.

Useful advice

Baby changing station and bottle warming facility available.

Dogs are admitted to the gardens only, provided they are kept on a leash.

Accessibility

People with disabilities have free access to FAI properties.
The property is equipped to meet the needs of people with intellectual disabilities. For further information, see https://www.fondoambiente.it/il-fai/beni/accessibilita/

WiFi

Free Wi-Fi is available.

Eating and Drinking

Ristorante Luce, Villa Panza

For information and reservations, call 0332 242199

Book a picnic basket to enjoy in our gardens! Tel. 0332 242199; ristorantelucevarese@gmail.com

(bookings accepted up to one working day prior to the day of your visit)

Set Menu €15 (single course, with homemade bread, dessert, fruit, water and coffee)

Examples of single courses:
Salad of wild rice, vegetables, tuna and mozzarella cheese
Salad of spelt, cherry tomatoes, shrimp, taggiasca olives and capers
Salad of wholemeal pasta, cooked ham, zucchini and pine nuts
Set Menu €25 (two courses, with homemade bread, dessert, fruit, water and coffee)
Salad of spelt and vegetables – Pork cooked in tuna sauce, mixed garden salad
Wholemeal pasta, cherry tomatoes, olives, capers – Roast beef, baby spinach with parmesan cheese and mustard sauce
Salad of black rice, zucchini, cherry tomatoes – Marinated swordfish, salad of the season with pomegranate

Venue hire and events

Choose Villa Panza as a venue for your events!

A magnificent mansion in the centre of VareseVilla Panza may make available, upon request, a list of local suppliers of the following services: displays; flowers; stewardship; music; PR; technical service support; photo shoots. The Restaurant “Luce”, located inside Villa Panza, offers an impeccable and highly professional catering service.

Choose a FAI property as a location for your event and support the conservation and protection of the Italian landscape.What sort of things can you do at Villa Panza? Are you looking for the perfect location for your film or photo shoot?

Private events
Wedding receptions, exclusive dinners, book presentations, launches of new products, fashion shows, concerts.
Business events
Business meetings, volunteering, team building, exclusive guided tours, workshop led by industry experts.
Filming and photo shooting
Villa Panza is the ideal location for photo shoots and all kinds of professional filming.

Further information
Please contact:
Maddalena Tavazzani
benivarese@fondoambiente.it

Choose the best space for your event