Museo del Convento di Santa Maria Assunta

The Museum of the Monastery of Santa Maria Assunta (Museo del Bigorio) sits inside the Capuchin convent on a terrace above the village of Bigorio, in the municipality of Capriasca (Sala Capriasca), Ticino, Switzerland. It is a small museum about how the friars lived and prayed, and it comes with a visit to one of the oldest Capuchin sites in the country.

What is in the museum?

The permanent display gathers objects the Capuchins made and used over the centuries. Highlights include a large medieval crucifix and a rare figure of the taken-down Christ with movable limbs, once used in religious ceremonies. The convent library holds old books, many bearing the signatures of the friars who read them.

What is the convent's history?

Two friars, Pacifico Carli of Lugano and Ludovico Filicaia of Florence, founded the convent in 1535. It was the first Capuchin settlement on Swiss soil. The friars took over an older 13th-century church dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, which had belonged to the parish of Santo Stefano in Tesserete. Saint Charles Borromeo consecrated it in 1577. The buildings were enlarged in the 17th and 18th centuries and altered again in the 20th. With fewer friars today, the convent also serves as a spiritual centre open to everyone.

How do you get there?

The convent stands above Bigorio, and you can climb to it on foot along the Via Crucis. The address is Via Convento 42, 6954 Bigorio. Nearby are woodland paths, a former quarry and a small chapel to the Madonna. The forest was restored and reopened to visitors in 2024.

When can you visit?

Opening hours are limited and vary by season. Ticino tourism listings point to mainly March to October, with a small admission fee. Check current times before you go by writing to [email protected].

Frequently asked questions

Can you stay overnight at the convent? Yes. The convent offers bed-and-breakfast rooms, and guests share common spaces with the friars.

Is admission charged? Entry is cheap, a couple of Swiss francs. The ticino.ch listing has the current price.

How long should you plan? The museum takes under an hour. With the church, the Via Crucis and a walk in the woods, allow half a day.

Is the museum separate from the convent church? No. It is inside the convent complex next to the church of Santa Maria Assunta, so one visit covers both.