Holiday apartment in Arcumeggia – Discover frescoes, lanes and trails
Accommodation in Arcumeggia
Arcumeggia combines a medieval town centre with an extraordinary artistic history. Cobbled lanes, stone houses and courtyards preserve the character of the village and provide an unmistakable backdrop for a stay. At the same time, the painted village project began here in 1956: contemporary Italian artists decorated the exterior walls of the houses in the rural village. Arcumeggia was Italy’s first open-air fresco gallery.
Frescoes, artists’ houses and historic lanes
The murals address themes such as emigration, rural life, traditions, sport, nature and mythology. A visitor trail leads through the old lanes and across the historic cobblestones, allowing art and the village setting to blend together directly. The church on the edge of Arcumeggia houses a Stations of the Cross created by the contemporary artists who worked in the village.
The Casa del Pittore contains numerous works of art, designs and ceramics by various artists associated with Arcumeggia. The house also hosts exhibitions and guided tours and has a panoramic terrace overlooking the Valcuvia Valley and Lake Maggiore. A small plaster collection in Giuseppe Vittorio Cerini’s house preserves works by the sculptor, who was born in Arcumeggia.
The Via degli Allievi also leads to its own art stations. There, a small exhibition space contains plaster sculptures by Giuseppe Cerini and Giovanni Vidini. Along the same street, works created by participants in the summer courses in fresco painting are on display. The Sangalleria on Via Malcotti is a well-known exhibition venue in Arcumeggia.
Hiking and mountain biking between Arcumeggia and the mountains
For active days, a circular hike offers a clear starting point: it 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 towards Monte Colonna.
There are also different levels of difficulty for mountain biking. A mountain bike is recommended for the Da Zuigno alla Linea Cadorna route; a road bike is suitable only if you limit yourself to the ascent to San Michele. The Casalzuigno–Arcumeggia–San Martino route is a difficult mountain bike tour covering 22.6 kilometres and taking approximately four and a half hours. It leads via the Sentiero del Fondista and trail 3V to the military road that climbs up from Mesenzana.
Other destinations in the surrounding area
Near Arcumeggia are Villa Baumann palace, the Chiostro di Voltorre museum, Palazzo Flaim palace and the Museo Tattile Varese museum. In the wider regional area, there are also Spiaggia dei Caravalle beach and the peaks of Poncione di Breno and Pizzo Marona. The Giardini di Villa Taranto gardens are also located near Arcumeggia.
Other destinations for orientation: Maccagno, Gazzada Schianno, Venegono Superiore, Bassano, Lavena Ponte Tresa, Valganna, Grantola, Arcisate
To the higher-level travel overview: Varese.
