What is this place

Museum of Cultures is Lugano’s museum of extra-European arts, focused on Asia, Southeast Asia, Indonesia and Oceania. It occupies the historic lakeside Villa Malpensata at Riva Antonio Caccia 5, with an additional garden entrance from Via G. Mazzini.

Key features

  • Founded in 1985, opened to the public on 23 Sep 1989 – a dedicated extra-European cultures museum.
  • Since 2017 housed in Villa Malpensata – a central lakeside venue with upgraded galleries.
  • The Brignoni Collection – Serge Brignoni’s donation with masterpieces from the Far East, India, SEA, Indonesia and Oceania.
  • Strong photography holdings – among the notable sets of hand-coloured Japanese photographs from the late 19th century.
  • Layout: Spazio Maraini (photography), Spazio Mostre (major temporary shows), Spazio Cielo (new collections and contemporary art), and free-entry Spazio Tesoro.

What to see

  • Ever-changing temporary exhibitions across the two-storey Spazio Mostre.
  • Spazio Maraini – historical and contemporary photography projects.
  • Spazio Tesoro – a free “treasure room” with highlights from Asia and Oceania, Lesser Sunda textiles and samurai artefacts.

History

The project was initiated in 1985 and MUSEC opened in 1989 on the foundation of Serge Brignoni’s major donation of South Seas and Asian art. Until 2016 the museum was based at the Heleneum villa in Castagnola.

In 2017 it moved to the restored Villa Malpensata on Lugano’s lakefront. Since 01.01.2019 operations have been entrusted to the Fondazione Culture e Musei, strengthening exhibitions and research.

Practical information

Location: Villa Malpensata, Riva Antonio Caccia 5; garden entrance via Via G. Mazzini 5.

Getting there: ~12–15 min lakeside walk from central Lugano; bus lines 1 and 2 to Loreto or Malpensata, then 3–5 min on foot.

Access: Step-free ramp from Via G. Mazzini; galleries, services and library are wheelchair-accessible; assistance dogs only.

Visiting hours: Mon/Wed/Thu/Fri 11:00–18:00; Sat/Sun & public holidays 10:00–18:00; Tue closed. Closed 24, 25, 31 Dec.

Visit duration: 60–90 min for the core visit; up to 2 h with the photo floor.

Best time: Weekday opening hour for quieter rooms; check for evening events.

Notes: Tickets – adults CHF 15, concessions CHF 10, ages 6–15 CHF 5; Spazio Tesoro is free. Group tours on request.