Luino opens barracks to the public: a cultural programme of history and

Luino opens barracks to the public: a cultural programme of history and education

The Largo Fiamme Gialle barracks, formerly the Casa del Fascio, was opened to the public for the first time during the FAI autumn days 2025, initiating a cultural programme focused on preserving local memory and fostering community engagement.

The project highlighted archival materials, eyewitness accounts and research that illustrate the building’s architectural and social history, and the economic cross-border dynamics around Lake Ceresio.

• Exhibitions and special openings: guided tours and thematic routes have engaged residents and visitors, offering historical and architectural insights into the site.
• Monographs and research: collaborations with local historians, including Professor Enrico Fuselli and Professor Francesca Boldrini, produced two volumes on smuggling on Lake Ceresio and the history of the barracks.
• Educational projects: school meetings and public lectures promoted education on economic legality and awareness of territorial cultural heritage.
• Local network: the programme involved FAI, cultural associations and municipal institutions, strengthening dialogue between institutions and the community.

Welcomed with interest by the Alto Verbano community, these initiatives show how institutional spaces can activate shared cultural paths. Further openings and publications are already planned to expand the area’s cultural offer in the coming months.