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.

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, Robert Wilson, Wim Wenders and James Turrell.

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 hours

Villa Panza is open to the public from 13th June to 29th September from Tuesday to Sunday and on festive Mondays, from 10:30 am to 8:30 pm. In other periods the opening time is from 10:00 to 18:00.

Special openings:

• During FAI Summer Events, on 13,20,27 June and 11,18,25 July, the Villa will remain open until 10:30 pm.

• On July 27th, August 10th and September 14th, early closing at 6:00 pm

How to get here

By car
Take A8 (Autostrada dei Laghi) towards Varese. Take Varese exit and reach the city centre, then follow the signs to Villa Panza.
Taxi Deals available: Consorzio Artigiani Varese Trasporto Persone Radio Taxi VareseFor further information, please call +39 (0)332241800

By train and bus
Frequent trains from Milan, Como, Lugano and Malpensa Airport (new train connection Como - Varese - Malpensa: more info here).
City bus route A from Varese station terminates at Villa Panza.

20% discount on the admission ticket for ITINERO or IOVIAGGIO card holders.10% discount on the admission ticket for the holders of a Trenord train ticket to Varese, validated on the same day of the visit.

On site car parking Car parking is a paid for facility (€ 2,5 per day). Free for FAI members.

Tickets

Villa only and the exhibition

FAI / National Trust members: € 6

Standard: €15

Reduced (aged 6-18): € 7

Children aged 0-5: free

Students between 18 and 26 years of age: € 10

Families (2 adults + 2 children aged 6-18): € 32.
In case there were more than two children, admission is free starting from the third.

Park entrance

Standard: € 3FAI members: free
Reduced (aged 6-18): € 1
Free entry is granted to residents of the municipality of Varese on Tuesdays.

FAIrPlay Family: additional € 1 on top of the price of the admission ticket
Running at a breakneck speed, discovering hidden passageways, doing somersaults in midair, listening to the sounds of nature: the 60 activities of the “FAIr Play Family” programme encourage children aged 5-12 to explore both the indoor and the outdoor spaces of Villa Panza in an original and creative way, stimulating their imagination and curiosity. The spirit of these activities is always informal and playful but, at the same time, fair and loyal towards art and nature, so that the visit results in a formative experience for the young generations, future guardians of the beauties of our country.

Guided Tours

Guided tours for groups of up to 25 people are available in both Italian (€ 100) and English (€ 130). Reservation is required: for further information please contact faibiumo@fondoambiente.it
Guided tours for school groups are also available: check FAI Scuola’s website Further options can be found here

Shopping

All the purchases made in our bookshops help support FAI’s mission

Useful advice

Baby changing tables and bottle warmers are available.

Dogs on a leash are allowed in the Park.

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

Restaurant “Luce”. Please contact +39(0)332242199

Venue hire and events

Choose Villa Panza as a venue for your events!

A magnificent mansion in the centre of Varese

Villa 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 Simona Gasparini
Tel +39 (0)339 2892686
benivarese@fondoambiente.it