Museo della Collegiata

About

“The Tuscan island in Lombardy”: this is the definition given by the writer Gabriele d’Annunzio to Castiglione Olona, town that still preserves the character of a Renaissance jewel. That was made possible by a powerful patron, cardinal Branda Castiglioni. The most important monument founded by Branda is the Collegiate church. The church, together with the Baptistery, is 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. Together with the Sienese Lorenzo di Pietro called il Vecchietta and with another Florentine, Paolo Schiavo, who worked with him in the Collegiate, Masolino left in Castiglione his masterpiece: the frescoes of the Baptistery, one of the best achievements of the early Italian Renaissance. The Museum’s rooms display significant works of art.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 1 hour 30 minutes