Villa Heleneum Park

Located on the shores of Lake Lugano in the Castagnola district, the park was created in Art Nouveau style in 1931, at the same time as Villa Heleneum, a faithful copy of the Petit Trianon in Versailles.

Thanks to the special microclimate that characterizes the perimeter and generally the nearby village of Gandria, a rich Mediterranean vegetation, not found elsewhere in Lugano, flourishes annually in the garden. Lemons, oranges, grapefruits and Chinese mandarins, as well as date and Chilean palms endure the Ticino winters.

A collection of very rare camellias, blue and white Agapanthus, fragrant Ginger plants, wisteria and roses of many qualities can also be seen alongside cedar trees, cypresses, Japanese medlar trees and a majestic Australian Eucalyptus.

From 1989 to 2015, the villa within the park was home to the Museum of Cultures of the City of Lugano, which has now moved to the Villa Malpensata premises.