Museo della Collegiata
Museo della Collegiata, Castiglione Olona: Hours, Address, Museo della Collegiata Reviews: 4.5/5
Museo della Collegiata
Museo della Collegiata
4.5
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
About
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 and the Baptistery are 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. Lorenzo di Pietro called "il Vecchietta" and Paolo Schiavo worked with him in the Collegiate apse. But 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.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
118 within 3 miles

Osteria Piccolo Stelvio
166
0.2 mi$ • Italian • Lombard • Northern-Italian

Locanda Alla Collegiata
28
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly

Old Inn Pub
46
258 ft$ • Italian • Brew Pub • Pizza
Caffè Del Borgo
1
151 ftBrew Pub • Bar • Pizza • Pub

Babilon
80
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Seafood

The World Restaurant
235
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Steakhouse • Mediterranean • Barbecue

Mimir Bar
2
0.3 miItalian

Q.B.
127
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean

Da Rosella
40
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian

Elisir
404
0.7 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Seafood
Attractions
322 within 6 miles

Collegiata
11
0 ftChurches & Cathedrals

Arco di Levante
2
96 ftHistoric Sites • Architectural Buildings

Casa del Pio Luogo dei Poveri in Cristo
1
127 ftHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

Chiesa del SS. Corpo di Cristo detta di Villa
25
127 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Museo Branda Castiglioni
26
235 ftSpeciality Museums

Museo Arte Plastica
13
487 ftArt Museums

Palazzo Branda
8
242 ftHistoric Sites

Palazzo dei Famigliari del Cardinal Branda
2
448 ftHistoric Sites • Architectural Buildings

Corte del Doro
1
471 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Palazzo dei Castiglioni di Monteruzzo
2
477 ftArchitectural Buildings
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
237 reviews
Excellent
129
Very good
81
Average
18
Poor
6
Terrible
3
Alessandro F
Milan, Italy25,710 contributions
The ancient village was born more than 1000 years ago around the hill where used to be the castle ( today you can admire the Collegiata ), at the foot of the hill the river Olona flows.
The origin of the town can be found during Romans.
The village we can admire today is a creation of the Cardinal Brada Castiglione (1350-1443) who rebuild the village tanks to architects, sculptors and painters coming from Florence.
Many frescoes was done by Masolino da Panicale
The origin of the town can be found during Romans.
The village we can admire today is a creation of the Cardinal Brada Castiglione (1350-1443) who rebuild the village tanks to architects, sculptors and painters coming from Florence.
Many frescoes was done by Masolino da Panicale
Written February 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alessandro F
Milan, Italy25,710 contributions
Solo
Inside the courtyard of the Collegiata, beside the Baptistery, there is this small museum with several pictures and precious manuscripts.
Many tourists leaves the feedback only on this activity thinking is for the all church of Collegiata .....
Many tourists leaves the feedback only on this activity thinking is for the all church of Collegiata .....
Written March 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helen G
Varese, Italy16 contributions
Couples
Great medieval town. Was able to park near the town hall for 90minutes for free.Walked down a street to see the tourist information office right in front of us. Was handed a great little leaflet, in English, giving all the necessary info about the old quarters. Walked around for half an hour absorbing the "oldness" then walked up to the main church, 6 euros to go in but well worth it to see all the 600 year old paintings on the ceilings. Also even better pics in the baptistery. Finished of with two beers in the main square...........result two happy bunnies!
Written July 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Grace B
Boston, MA118 contributions
Solo
Castiglione Olona is a very small italian town with an old part and a newer, restored part. For tourists, the city has a lot of bars, cafes, and restaurants and classic art to see when you are there. To live in the town is another story. There is not a grocery store or a train station so it is a bit hard to live here without a car. But overall, it's a nice town to visit, close to Milan and Varese.
Written November 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Girella
Bergamo, Italy19,899 contributions
Couples
The village built on a hill top in 1000 is north of Milan near Varese.
Thanks to Cardinal Branda Castiglione ( 1350 - 1443 ) it became the cradle of Christian Humanism in Lombardy. He called important painters like Masolino da Panicale, il Vecchietta, Paolo Schiavo and the Solari to work in the local church, baptistery and other parts of the village.
Among the many nice things to see - Chiesa di Villa, Piazzetta del Padreterno, Monastero delle Umiliate, Palazzo dei Familiari del Cardinal Branda, Museo Civico.... we found the Collegiata and above all the Baptistery the most interesting. There's a ticket to pay ( €5 ) then a nice elderly lady took us around giving us a simple but full and enthusiastic explanation about the buildings and the affrescoes. She was one of the volonteers and it was very clear she was so proud of her home village: this made her guide very pleasant.
We have visited many other medieval villages in Italy and must say that Castiglione Olona should be better kept. The value of the many historic and artistic treasures needs to be enhanced even with simple things: a little more order of the street furniture, a few flowers etc..
However we're glad we glad we visited this little medieval jewel.
Thanks to Cardinal Branda Castiglione ( 1350 - 1443 ) it became the cradle of Christian Humanism in Lombardy. He called important painters like Masolino da Panicale, il Vecchietta, Paolo Schiavo and the Solari to work in the local church, baptistery and other parts of the village.
Among the many nice things to see - Chiesa di Villa, Piazzetta del Padreterno, Monastero delle Umiliate, Palazzo dei Familiari del Cardinal Branda, Museo Civico.... we found the Collegiata and above all the Baptistery the most interesting. There's a ticket to pay ( €5 ) then a nice elderly lady took us around giving us a simple but full and enthusiastic explanation about the buildings and the affrescoes. She was one of the volonteers and it was very clear she was so proud of her home village: this made her guide very pleasant.
We have visited many other medieval villages in Italy and must say that Castiglione Olona should be better kept. The value of the many historic and artistic treasures needs to be enhanced even with simple things: a little more order of the street furniture, a few flowers etc..
However we're glad we glad we visited this little medieval jewel.
Written April 5, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kate B
83 contributions
Couples
Ignore the older reviews! The whole place has been well looked after and restored. The market on Sunday was a little disappointing but the town itself was lovely. Two cafes, museums and church’s. A few little local shops but nothing too exciting. There was a short walk near the river and generally a quiet and lovely place. The locals have recently restored one of the buildings back to the 14th century which is when this town was built. Worth a trip, don’t let the the area surrounding put you off!
Bell ringers were interesting!
Bell ringers were interesting!
Written August 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
rcaldin
Los Angeles, CA787 contributions
Couples
Lovely small town on a hill and by the river. Beautiful old castle, old church and old wolrd feel. Live coming here, almostvlike stepping back in time.
Written February 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Angie S
5 contributions
Well worth the effort to visit these unique and charming renaissance frescoes in the tiny town of Castiglione Olona outside of Milan.
Written February 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Museo della Collegiata
- Museo della Collegiata is open:
- Wed - Sun 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
- Wed - Sun 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
- Hotels near Museo della Collegiata:
- (3.09 mi) B&B La Collina
- (4.65 mi) Hotel di Varese
- (3.54 mi) Hotel Ungheria Varese 1946
- (7.89 mi) Cascina Rodiani - Green Hospitality
- (8.28 mi) Hotel Osteria Della Pista
- Restaurants near Museo della Collegiata:
- (0.03 mi) Caffè Del Borgo
- (0.05 mi) Old Inn Pub
- (0.15 mi) Locanda Alla Collegiata
- (0.24 mi) Osteria Piccolo Stelvio
- (0.56 mi) The World Restaurant