The marble courtyard and the carved fireplaces

During the 1880s, the museum acquired many stone sculptures from the surrounding areas through purchases and donations. The marble courtyard represents a nineteenth-century concept of an open-air museum. The courtyard showcases various fragments of sculptural works, which are mounted on three walls to create a catalog of Ossola stone sculpture. Among the displayed pieces are two relief plaques depicting an Angel holding a candle and a Cleric with a reliquary. These fragments were likely part of a larger decorative complex, possibly a sepulcher, dating back to the fourteenth century. Additionally, the museum exhibits several pieces attributed to the so-called “Maestro di Crevola,” an anonymous sculptor who may be identified as Antonio Arrigoni, credited with various sculptures. One of these pieces is the front of a tabernacle (purchased in 1908), missing its door, originating from the destroyed church of Caddo. The collection also includes various noble coat of arms. Inside the palace, nearly all the rooms are equipped with marble or stone fireplaces, essential for heating the spaces. These fireplaces vary in style and date from different periods, but all boast splendid lithic decorations with a celebratory intent. Overall, the marble courtyard and the display of stone sculptures in the museum provide visitors with an opportunity to explore the rich sculptural heritage of the region and appreciate the artistic talents of past generations.