A serene haven on the shores of Lugano, the Park of Villa Heleneum remains relatively unspoiled and untouched despite its rich diversity of Mediterranean vegetation. Designed in the ‘Liberty’ style circa 1931, the park is filled with a wide variety of tropical and subtropical plants, such as lemon trees and date palms, as well as exotic flowers such as the rare camellias and blue and white agapanthus. Breathe in the flowery fragrance whilst strolling through the shaded pathways lined with cedars, green cypresses and Japanese Medlar trees, and appreciate the beauty Lugano has to offer.

The beautifully constructed villa, a detailed replication of the Petit Tiranon at Versailles, draws the eye with its elegant and sophisticated architecture. Both the villa and its gardens have deep cultural significance, and were, in a sense, a gift from Hélène Biber, a modern ballet dancer from Paris. After her death in 1967, the villa was transferred to the City Hall of Lugano, and served as Lugano’s cultural hub as the Museo delle Culture Extraeuropee (Museum of Extraeuropean Culture) during the late 1900s, before becoming the seat of the exquisite Museum of Cultures from 2007-2015. Today, the villa houses a cosy library, and a documentation centre of the villa’s history.