The “C.G. Fanchini” Civic Museum: A Deep Immersion in History and Traditions

In Oleggio, a small yet vibrant town in the province of Novara, lies a true treasure chest of history and culture: the Carlo Giacomo Fanchini Civic Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum. This extraordinary museum complex is much more than a collection of artifacts—it is a time machine that, through its vast halls, allows visitors to relive the millennia-old history and deep traditions of the region, telling the story of those who lived here—from the first prehistoric settlements to the everyday labors of the 20th century. It is one of the most important and richest ethnographic museums in Northern Italy, a source of pride for the community and a reference point for scholars and enthusiasts alike.

The Origins and Vision of the Founder

The history of the museum is inseparably tied to the figure of Cavaliere Carlo Giacomo Fanchini, a man whose passion for the past and deep connection to his homeland gave life to this ambitious project. In the 1960s, Fanchini realized that rapid progress and modernization were erasing the traces of a rural and artisan world made of ancient knowledge, rudimentary tools, and sacrifice. With tireless dedication, he began meticulously collecting every kind of object—from sickles to looms, from Roman coins to agricultural machinery—with the goal of preserving the memory of a disappearing era.

His collection, initially private, became so vast and significant that it deserved a public space, culminating in the official inauguration of the first museum display on October 10, 1974. Since then, Fanchini’s legacy has been honored and enhanced, with the museum continuously expanding its collections and consolidating its role as a guardian of local identity.

A Journey Through the Ages: The Collections

The exhibition path of the Fanchini Museum is divided into two distinct yet complementary sections that together offer a complete and fascinating portrait of the historical and cultural heritage of Oleggio and its surroundings.

• The Archaeological Section: located on the ground floor, this section offers a true plunge into the most remote past. Through a rich display of artifacts, the museum documents human presence in the area since the 3rd century BC. Visitors can admire the funerary sets of the Golasecca civilization, evidence of the Vertamocori, an ancient Celtic people, and a vast collection of objects from the Romanization period. Among the most remarkable finds are ceramics, bronze tools, coins, and jewelry that not only recount the evolution of local communities but also illustrate their cultural interaction and assimilation with the Roman world. The careful arrangement of objects and clear explanatory panels make this section both accessible and captivating for visitors of all ages.
• The Ethnographic Section: this is the beating heart of the museum and its true centerpiece. Spread across more than 40 rooms, this section offers an immersive experience that meticulously recreates the daily and working life of rural and artisan communities between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Each room is dedicated to a specific trade or environment, with faithful reconstructions that seem almost alive. Visitors can step into the carpenter’s workshop, with tools hanging on the walls and the scent of wood seemingly still in the air, or into the saddler’s room, displaying horse tack and antique sewing machines. Other rooms are devoted to the cobbler, blacksmith, weaver, and dozens of other traditional crafts.
  Particular attention has been given to the reconstruction of domestic spaces: a peasant kitchen ready for dinner, a bedroom with its wrought-iron bed, and a formal sitting room reserved for special occasions. The display is enriched by a vast collection of clothing, linens, agricultural tools, and even vintage vehicles, such as a hay cart.

Visitor Information

• Address: Vicolo Chiesa, 1, Oleggio (NO)
• Contacts
  • Phone: +39 0321 91429
  • Email: [email protected]
• Opening Hours:
  • Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
  • Saturday (except the last of the month): 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
  • Sunday (only the last of the month): 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
• Admission: the Fanchini Museum stands out for its cultural outreach mission. For this reason, entry is completely free for both individual and group visits. Only schools requesting customized educational workshops are subject to a small fee, and advance booking is always required.

The Carlo Giacomo Fanchini Civic Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum is an unmissable experience for anyone wishing to connect with the past. It is not merely a place to admire artifacts, but a bridge uniting generations—telling, with passion and precision, the story of a world that was at risk of being forgotten.

Cover photo credits: Settimioma, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0