Croce Palace

Croce Palace (Palazzo Croce, formerly Palazzo della Croce) is a Renaissance-era mansion in Riva San Vitale, in the Swiss canton of Ticino. Wikidata describes it as an imposing residential building with a courtyard. The town sits on the southern bay of Lake Lugano, at the foot of Monte San Giorgio.

What is Palazzo Croce?

The palace dates from the 16th century and takes its name from the Della Croce family, one of the prominent families of old Riva San Vitale. Archive photographs label it Palazzo della Croce, and later captions also record it as "Casa Houck, già Della Croce". A 1920 photograph in the Swiss federal archives identifies the building as the town hall (Municipio). This is a building to admire from the street, so check on the spot whether any part is open before you plan a visit.

Who were the Della Croce?

The same family funded the church of Santa Croce, built between 1582 and 1591. Giovan Andrea Della Croce commissioned it and chose it as his burial place. The design is credited to Giovan Antonio Piotti, known as il Vacallo, who may have followed plans by Pellegrino Tibaldi. Santa Croce counts among the largest late Renaissance church buildings in Switzerland.

What else is there to see in Riva San Vitale?

• The Baptistery of San Giovanni, built on Roman foundations around AD 500. It is the oldest fully surviving Christian building in Switzerland.
• The parish church of San Vitale, rebuilt in late Baroque style in 1756-59.
• The Lake Lugano waterfront, a former harbour that served ships from Como during the war of 1118-27.
• Monte San Giorgio above the town, a good base for hikes.

About 500 people lived here in 1591, and the municipality now has a little over two thousand residents. Locals once lived from farming, fishing and brick-making, and a silk-spinning mill operated from 1869.

How do you get there?

Riva San Vitale lies in the Mendrisio district, between Lugano and the towns of Mendrisio and Chiasso. Lugano is the nearest city, and many residents commute there. The palace stands in the historic centre close to Santa Croce, so it fits into a single walk with the baptistery and the lakeside.

When should you visit?

A stroll through the town works all year. Spring and early autumn bring mild weather by the lake and good conditions on the trails around Monte San Giorgio.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Croce Palace? In Riva San Vitale, Ticino, on Lake Lugano.

How old is the palace? It dates from the 16th century and is named after the Della Croce family.

Can you go inside? It is a former family residence, and in 1920 it housed the town hall. Today it is best seen from outside; check access rules locally.

What is worth seeing nearby? The church of Santa Croce (1582-91) and the baptistery of San Giovanni from around AD 500, the oldest surviving Christian building in Switzerland.