Arcumeggia: Frescoes, Artists’ Houses and Historic Trails
Arcumeggia combines a medieval-style historic center with an unusually rich artistic heritage. The painted village project began in 1956: contemporary Italian artists decorated the exterior walls of the houses in the rural village with frescoes.
Frescoes and Art in the Historic Center
The murals depict emigration, rural life, traditions, sports, nature, and mythology. Arcumeggia was Italy’s first open-air gallery of frescoes. Cobblestone alleyways, stone houses, and courtyards preserve the character of a medieval historic center.
A visitor route leads through the old alleyways and along historic cobblestones. At the edge of the village stands a church with a Stations of the Cross created by contemporary artists who worked in Arcumeggia. The Casa del Pittore houses numerous artworks, designs, and ceramics by various artists associated with Arcumeggia and hosts exhibitions and guided tours.
Works created by participants in the summer fresco-painting courses are displayed along the Via degli Allievi. A small exhibition space with plaster sculptures by Giuseppe Cerini and Giovanni Vidini is also located there. The Sangalleria on Via Malcotti is a well-known exhibition venue. Arcumeggia is also the birthplace of the sculptor Giuseppe Vittorio Cerini; a small plaster gallery in his home preserves works by the sculptor.
Hiking and Cycling Around Arcumeggia
A circular hiking route begins in Arcumeggia and leads via the Sentiero degli Innamorati to the Croce di Duno. After the section near San Martino in Culmine, it follows the military road of the Linea Cadorna toward Monte Colonna.
A mountain bike is recommended for the Da Zuigno alla Linea Cadorna route. A road bike is suitable for this route only if you limit yourself to the climb to San Michele. The Casalzuigno–Arcumeggia–San Martino route is a difficult mountain bike tour covering 22.6 kilometers and lasting approximately four and a half hours. It follows the Sentiero del Fondista and Trail 3V to the military road that climbs up from Mesenzana.
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The area around Arcumeggia is home to Villa Baumann, the Chiostro di Voltorre Museum, Palazzo Flaim, and the Museo Tattile Varese. Further afield in the region are Spiaggia dei Caravalle, the summit of Poncione di Breno, and the summit of Pizzo Marona. Gardens in the surrounding area include the Giardini di Villa Taranto. The Casa del Pittore also adds a panoramic terrace overlooking the Valcuvia Valley and Lake Maggiore to the historic center.
If you would first like to get to know Arcumeggia from a distance, a virtual tour allows you to explore it from home.
More places for planning your trip: Malnate, Rancio Valcuvia, Casalzuigno, Bassano, Casorate Sempione, Brenta, Cardano Al Campo, Cunardo.
To the higher-level travel overview: Varese.
