Visconteo Castle
Locarno
Just a short walk from Piazza Grande, in the heart of Locarno, stands Visconti Castle, one of the city's most important historic buildings. With its medieval walls, arcaded courtyard and decorated rooms, the castle reflects the significant role Locarno has played over the centuries.
The origins of the complex date back to the Middle Ages. In the 14th century, the castle came under the rule of the Visconti family of Milan and was later extended and fortified by the Rusca family. Over time, it underwent numerous transformations that altered its original appearance, while preserving valuable traces of different historical periods.
Among its most striking architectural features are the tower, the elegant arcaded courtyard, the frescoes and the ceilings decorated with the coats of arms of former bailiffs.
Today, Visconti Castle houses Locarno's Civic and Archaeological Museum, where visitors can explore the history and cultural heritage of the region through archaeological finds, collections and exhibitions.
The museum is internationally renowned for its remarkable collection of Roman glassware, comprising around 200 objects discovered during archaeological excavations in the region. The archaeological galleries also display artefacts documenting life in the Locarno area from the Bronze Age to Roman times.
The exhibition continues with a section dedicated to the 1925 Peace Conference and the Locarno Treaties, a significant milestone in European diplomatic history. The Lapidarium also offers an insight into the restoration of Visconti Castle carried out in the 1920s by Edoardo Berta.
Opening hours
Tuesday–Sunday and public holidays: 10.00 am–4.30 pm
Monday: closed
Admission
- Adults: CHF 15.–
- Senior citizens, disability pension recipients and groups (min. 10 people): CHF 10.–
- Students aged 18 and over: CHF 8.–
- Children and young people up to 18: free admission
Additional discounts, combined tickets and guided tours by prior arrangement are also available.
VENUES
- Suitable for families
MUSEUMS
- Ethnographic museums
- History museums
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