With over twenty museums, precious treasure chests of cultural traditions, places that have always been tied to the historical and artistic legacy of the Ossola Valleys, from Domodossola to the small and large hamlets of this area or Lower Ossola, the museum network – enhanced by the Association of Ossola Museums – is truly abundant.
Beginning in the Lower Ossola, the Castle of Vogogna, a genuine symbol of Ossola fortifications hosting interesting temporary shows, is worth a visit, along with the Mergozzo Archaeological Museum, which includes a section on the traditional processing of local stone, featuring important pieces from prehistoric to medieval times (there is also an archaeological exhibition in Varzo in the Divedro Valley). Ornavasso has the Museo di arte sacra, a religious art museum twinned with the museum in Crevoladossola dedicated to religious architecture.
Domodossola is the capital of culture in these valleys and its Civic Museums reflect the many souls of this capital city. Having undergone years of renovations, Palazzo San Francesco now holds prestigious temporary exhibits on the ground floor, where a 13th-century Franciscan church once stood. On the first floor, visitors will find the Museum of Natural Sciences and, on the second, the Picture Gallery, the Archaeological section, Religious Art and a selection of drawings.
Nearby stands the historic Palazzo Silva, one of the most stunning aristocratic Renaissance constructions in the Alps, worth a visit to admire its architecture and the splendid furnishings in the halls. Last, but certainly not least, the fine 19th-century collection of the “Mellerio Rosmini” Natural Science Museum and the temporary exhibits at Casa de Rodis in Piazza Mercato complete the list of museums in Domodossola.
