Logo

Museo Vincenzo Vela

The Museo Vincenzo Vela in Ligornetto, Switzerland, is one of the most important 19th-century European artist's houses. Created by the Ticinese realist sculptor Vincenzo Vela (1820-91) and turned into a public museum after his donation to the Swiss state, it houses the monumental plaster cast collection of Vincenzo Vela, the bequests of sculptor Lorenzo Vela and painter Spartaco Vela, a notable 19th-century collection of Lombard and Piedmontese painting, hundreds of autograph drawings and one of the oldest private Swiss photography collections. Restored by architect Mario Botta, the museum is located at the foot of Monte San Giorgio and regularly hosts changing temporary exhibitions.

Families and Kids

The museum offers a free exhibition guide for children and young people aged 8 and over, designed to help them explore the exhibitions independently or with an adult. The guide can be requested free of charge at the museum ticket office or by email.

Information

  • Visit duration: 90min
  • Barrier free: Yes
  • For rainy days: Yes
  • Free entrance: No
  • Price range: $$
  • Topic: Art
    • Guided tours: Yes
    • Children experience: Child friendly
    • Children age group: 6-12, 12-18
    • Children activities: Tours and demonstrations

Opening hours

Open Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 17:00 and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. Closed on Mondays.
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
10:00-17:00
Wednesday
10:00-17:00
Thursday
10:00-17:00
Friday
10:00-17:00
Saturday
10:00-18:00
Sunday
10:00-18:00

Admission fees

12 CHF
Adult admission
10 CHF
Reduced admission for groups, AVS/AI pensioners and residents of the City of Mendrisio, CdT Club Card, Welcome Card holders.
10 CHF
Permanent exhibition only: CHF 10.- / reduced CHF 8.-
3 CHF
IOSTUDIO or other student cards: CHF 3.-
0 CHF
Free admission every Wednesday.
0 CHF
Free admission for Swiss schools.
3 CHF
Other (non-Swiss) schools: CHF 3.-

Contact

Webpage
museo-vela.ch
Email
museo.vela@bak.admin.ch
Address
Via Lorenzo Vela 6, 6853 Ligornetto

Access

Nearby stops

  • Ligornetto, Posta500 meters walking distance

Travel duration

From
Travel time
Lugano
40m
Bellinzona
1h 0m
Locarno
1h 24m
Zug
2h 16m
Luzern
2h 37m

FAQ

  • Is the museum accessible to people with disabilities?
    Yes, the museum is fully accessible to people with disabilities. Visitors with disabilities are asked to enter the park by car through the suppliers' entrance and to announce themselves at the intercom. A reserved parking space is located behind the main building.
  • Is there a visitor car park?
    Yes, a new barrier-controlled visitor car park is available. The ticket issued at the entrance must be validated at the museum; parking is free for visitors.
  • Can I eat or drink at the museum?
    In the northern area of the park, equipped with chairs and small tables, it is permitted to consume drinks and food.
  • Are there guided tours available?
    Yes, guided tours are available for groups of up to 20 people, costing CHF 150 in Italian and CHF 180 in French, German or English.
  • Is the museum open on public holidays?
    The museum is open on several public holidays, including Easter Monday, Ascension, Whit Monday, Corpus Domini, 1 May, 1 August, 15 August, 1 November, 8 December, 26 December and 6 January. It is closed on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January.

Included in