MIDEC - Museo Internazionale Design Ceramico

The Civic Earthenware Collection, founded in 1968, officially opened to the public in 1971 in the sixteenth century Palazzo Perabò, with a budget of ceramic works that marks clearly the destiny and vocation. Most of the works come from the collection of Richard-Ginori Italian Ceramic Society, the donation-Meregalli Scotti, the donation Franco Revelli and other private donations.  The collection documents the production earthenware strong mid-1800s to the present day in the Lombardy area. Among the artistic directors of Laveno pottery, Gio Ponti, Guido Andlovitz, Antonia Campi were the most prestigious.  Their design has created something that is unsurpassed in the production Laveno pottery, known all over the world. In several rooms can be set on the main floor of the Palace mainly due to the deposit of artistic pieces by Richard Ginori, you can admire large pots, umbrella stands, dishes and services to be beautifully decorated table, made in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century by workers of Italian Ceramic Society (ICS) Laveno Mombello; works in Art Nouveau style and now rare pieces of toilet of Italian and foreign manufacturers.  Sculptures and ceramic panels A. Biancini, A. Fields, G. Andlovitz, P. Melandri, G. Gariboldi embellish the Palace and the walls of the rooms, stating the absolute level of artistic works produced in Laveno ceramics.  In the last decade, the collection has been enriched with works by contemporary artists who see the ceramic one of the privileged areas of investigation. The Palace was built in the late sixteenth century by the family cerrese Guilizzoni Conti.  Over time the building was owned by various priests until 1856 when Don Giuseppe Longhi they decided the donation to the Cause Pia Cittiglio. The latter administered for nine years, well, until in 1865 settled the sale by public auction. The nobleman Don. Leopoldo Perabò bought the property which turned into a charitable trust and last will then became the seat of an Agricultural Institute. In the same years he was also the seat of the City elementary school and a public clinic. From 1943 to 1966, the building was used as a shelter for the elderly. In 1966 the nursing home was, for reasons of space, transferred elsewhere, and in 1968 the building was purchased by the Town Council with the idea of ​​creating a place where gather the production Laveno ceramics. On May 9, 1971 the museum was inaugurated with the name of Civic Collection of Earthenware.  A monumental doorway overlooking the lake accompanied by the colonnaded courtyard on three sides. The gallery on the first floor continues with a balcony on which there are viable splendid views of the lake. The first floor rooms are half and half coffered vaulted valid with decorative motifs of the eighteenth century.

How to reach us

From Milan: A8 motorway exit Sesto Calende lakes, take the SP69 highway to Laveno Mombello. Follow the lake north to Cerro. Turn left to arrive at the lake, once there Perabò Palace, seat of Midec is clearly visible on the right.

From Varese: take the road of SP1 Schiranna up to Gavirate, continue along the new road SP1 var leading to Laveno. In Laveno, follow the lake to the south. The first country is Cerro. Turn right to arrive at the lake, once there Perabò The Palace, seat of Midec is clearly visible on the right

The Museum is open all year (except New Year's Day, Easter, August and Christmas) Saturday - Sunday - Holidays (from June to September) Saturday - Sunday - Holidays (From june to september)

Last admission 30 minutes before closing time

Guided tours and workshops for groups are available every day, by reservation