

The ideal location for private events such as wedding receptions and banquets
- Art Nouveau park
- Private pier
The Villa Heleneum complex is composed by three floors and an Art Nouveau park overlooking Lake Lugano. It comprises 13 rooms of different sizes, elegant staircases and panoramic views of the lake and the park. Some rooms are decorated with the original 1930s wooden panelling.
The park is characterised by a rich variety of exotic plants and rare trees that grow around paths and belvederes decorated with art nouveau benches, gates and ornaments. Favoured by a mild microclimate, the park is available in its entirety to host receptions. Villa Heleneum can be reached by lake thanks to its private pier.
Villa Heleneum is available for rent by floor and per day.
Lugano Convention & Exhibition has a list of useful contacts for services that may complement your event , including catering, plants and flowers, furniture and decorations, technical equipment and photography.

Credits: Eventoile
Villa Heleneum facts and figures
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617 square metres
Total surface
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3
Neoclassical floors
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1930
Year of construction
Explore Villa Heleneum floors
Villa Heleneum spaces
SURFACE AREA (M²) | SIZE (M) | CONFERENCE CAPACITY | SEMINAR CAPACITY | BANQUET CAPACITY | STANDING | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ground floor | 197.2 | 75 | R | 70 | 100 | |||||||
First floor | 131.6 | 37 | R | 50 | 50 | |||||||
Second floor | 160.6 | 37 | R | 50 | 50 | |||||||
Park | 64 + 64 | R |
- Available
- Not available
- Upon request
- Video projector
- WiFi connection
- Accessible
- Sound system
- Simultaneous translation
- Air conditioning
Photos
Technical data
Electricity connection
Downloads
Description
Located on the site of the former Villa Caréol in the scenic Castagnola district, the Villa Heleneum project was conceived at the end of the '20s at the behest of Hélène Bibier, a Paris-based German dancer. Her intention was to create not only a private holiday home on the quiet shores of Lake Lugano, but also a cultura centred modelled after the 18th-century French salons: a lively meeting point for intellectuals, men of letters and politicians of the time. The design of the villa, entrusted to the Berlin architect Hugo Dunkel, was thus meant to evoke the 18th-century French atmospheres. Villa Heleneum is composed of three floors of large proportions and neoclassical style, expressly inspired by the Petit Trianon in Versailles. Completed in 1933, it is framed by the magnificent park with original art nouveau ornaments, and a rich variety of exotic plants and rare trees that grow around paths and belvederes.
Since 1967 Villa Heleneum belongs to the City of Lugano. Ever since it has hosted cultural events, just as Hélène Bibier first intended. For instance, it hosted courses of Ticino Institude of Advanced Studes in the '70s, but also seminars on artificial intelligence organised by Dalle Molle Institute. Then, since 1988 Villa Heleneum has been the seat the Museum of Cultures thanks to Serge Brignoni's large donation of his private ethnic art collection, now located in Villa Malpensata.
Villa Heleneum is composed of three floors of large proportions and neoclassical style, expressly inspired by the Petit Trianon in Versailles. Completed in 1933, it is framed by the magnificent park with original art nouveau ornaments, and a rich variety of exotic plants and rare trees that grow around paths and belvederes.

Credits: Vincenzo Vicari 1962
How to reach Villa Heleneum
Villa Heleneum can be easily reached in 20 minutes from the SBB station of Lugano using the TPL bus Line 2 towards Castagnola (San Domenico stop), and then on foot for 600 meters.
It is 2.7 km away from the city centre and can be reached in 15 minutes by bus Line 2 towards Castagnola (stop San Domenico), and then on foot for 600 metres.
Villa Heleneum can also be reached by lake thanks to its private pier (stop on request: Villa Heleneum).
Villa Heleneum has no parking spaces of its own. Along via Cortivo there are a few blue parking spaces (1.5 hour stop), while at the end of the street there are spaces for a fee for a maximum of 20 cars. On the day of your event it is possible to book parking spaces along via Cortivo or alternatively at the Exhibition Centre and then to arrange a shuttle service connecting the two locations.
- Bus Line 2 (stop: San Domenico)
- Relevant landing stage (stop: Villa Heleneum)
- Parking via Cortivo
- Upon request: shuttle service

Types of events you can organise at Villa Heleneum
Upcoming events at Villa Heleneum
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Matteo Di Giovanni | La fotografia come elogio dell'interpretazione
30th JanuaryArtphilein Editions / Bookstore
- Mercato degli alimentari e dei fiori
- Mercato dell'antiquariato e artigianato
- Mercatino dell'usato
- On Ice - Il fascino del ghiaccio