From prehistoric to Roman times, from late antiquity to the Middle Ages, the splendid Museum of the Studi Patri Society of Gallarate, which is housed inside the cloister of the monastery of San Francesco, features archaeological finds of considerable importance.

The first room contains a collection of Neolithic artefacts from the Pile dwellings of the Varese lakes, mainly comprised of arrowheads, stone tools and ceramics, as well as a number of Golasecchian artefacts, including pottery and personal ornaments.

The first group includes a canoe from the Lake Monate area, which, due to its exceptional state of preservation, is displayed at the centre of the room, representing one of the rare surviving examples of a prehistoric boat.

The second room houses a rich collection of Roman artefacts, including numerous epigraphs and even a sarcophagus. The same room also contains various numismatic collections from the Middle Ages.

One of the museum's most interesting items is the pluteo, which originally separated the altar and the choir from the rest of the church of San Giovanni di Castelseprio. The cloister itself is a medieval monument of significant importance to the city. Erected in 1234, the building represents one of the oldest Franciscan monasteries in all of Lombardy, and is comprised of two cloisters adjacent to a Gothic church.

Not just archaeology, but art history as well. The museum in Gallarate, in fact, houses a figurative art collection that ranges from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century, featuring works by famous artists.

Some of the most significant works include paintings by Giuseppe De Alberti, fascinating sculptures by Adolf Wildt, paintings by Nicolò Pisano and Tanzio Varallo, and even a sketch by Cerano. Not to mention the two medieval sculptures from Cairate, which bridge the gap between the archaeology and the art history.