Case Nuove: Volandia and local history

Volandia is located at Via per Tornavento 15 in Case Nuove, Somma Lombardo. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay here, you can clearly distinguish between the local themes: Volandia is dedicated to aviation, space exploration and transport; the parish church of Santa Margherita combines architectural history with religious art. This makes it possible to choose the focus of your trip based on specific places and stories.

Aviation and space exploration at Volandia

The museum is divided into seven areas: the forms of flight, fixed-wing aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft, the space and planetarium pavilion, drones, model aircraft, and a children's area. This layout takes visitors from different types of aircraft to space exploration and the planetarium. The exhibition is housed in the historic Caproni aviation workshops dating from 1910. A reconstruction of the Officine Caproni also illustrates the link to the workshops where Caproni aircraft were built.

A distinct chapter in aviation history is the first flight over the Malpensa moor, made in a Caproni Ca.1 biplane, which Volandia has reconstructed and dates to 27 May 1910. Realistic flight simulators complement the historical themes with a simulated experience. Volandia therefore focuses both on the history of flight and on different ways of engaging with the subject.

At the planetarium, visitors can observe the night sky, including stars, planets and constellations, and watch educational films about the solar system. Those with a particular interest in astronomy will find a different focus here within the museum from the areas devoted to aircraft. The planetarium is also one of the museum's seven designated areas.

Younger children can enjoy an outdoor area with aviation-themed games. The indoor play area has games for different age groups, and there is also an area equipped for birthday parties. Consider these offerings separately from the collection and exhibition themes when weighing up different interests for a stay. Volandia also encourages visits to the park and museum by groups and schools of all types and grade levels. If you are planning a group visit, check the applicable booking conditions in advance.

Santa Margherita: architectural history and art

The parish church of Santa Margherita of Antioch, Virgin and Martyr, was built in 1779 in place of an older church dedicated to Santa Maria Lauretana. Cardinal Filippo Visconti consecrated the church in 1786. Its history thus encompasses both the earlier building and its later consecration—two distinct stages that can be clearly placed in time.

Artistic details include frescoes on the walls and vault, painted by Antonio Brusatori in the early 20th century. A small pronaos with Corinthian columns shelters the entrance, which has a Baroque design. The church also preserves two reliefs from an older chapel: one depicts the Virgin and Child, the other Saint George fighting the dragon. The chapel was destroyed by the French after the Battle of Tornavento in 1636. The architecture, frescoes and reliefs thus offer different points of reference for the local history of churches and art.

Rail connections and other points of interest in Somma Lombardo

Somma Lombardo station is listed as the rail connection for the church. Regional trains on the S50 and R28 lines, as well as the Malpensa Express on the MXP1–MXP2 route, stop there. If you plan to use this connection, check the timetable for your travel date.

The municipality of Somma Lombardo also has its own nature and landscape attractions. Walking and cycling paths run through the greenery of Parco del Ticino at Diga del Panperduto. The SIC Brughiera del Dosso covers around 455 hectares south of the municipality; around 70 percent of the area consists of natural habitats and 26 percent of agricultural land. These details describe places and landscapes in Somma Lombardo and complement Case Nuove's focus on culture and aviation with a distinct connection to nature.

For cyclists, the Ipposidra route passes through wooded areas in Vizzola Ticino, Somma Lombardo and Golasecca. Some sections are difficult to ride by bike. This is a specific difference from the walking and cycling paths at Diga del Panperduto, and may help when choosing an excursion to suit your interests.

Discover more destinations: Comerio, Malnate, Azzate, Lavena Ponte Tresa, Cantello, Cittiglio, Laveno-Mombello, Saronno.

For the broader travel overview: Varese.