The museum occupies the original factory buildings where Giovanni Battista Caproni founded his first aeronautical company in 1910.
It houses the original 'Caproni Ca.1' biplane, the first aircraft designed and built by Caproni.
The collection includes a substantial number of rare helicopters, documenting the evolution of vertical flight in Italy.
The site features a 'Planetarium' dome used for educational astronomical projections.
The museum incorporates a dedicated area to the history of the 'SIAI-Marchetti' aviation company.
Several full-flight simulators are available for public use, often including realistic control interfaces.
The museum grounds include the 'Officine Caproni' industrial heritage site, showcasing early 1900s factory architecture.
Volandia is a sprawling aviation and aerospace museum situated within the historic industrial facilities of the former Caproni aeronautical works. The site covers over 60,000 square meters, featuring a collection that spans from early 20th-century pioneers to contemporary jet aircraft. It is located directly adjacent to Milan Malpensa Airport, allowing for views of active runway operations. The museum is organized into several pavilions, including dedicated sections for fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and space exploration. Visitors can explore indoor hangars and large outdoor exhibition spaces containing preserved flight equipment. An on-site cafe and play areas for children are available within the museum grounds.
The outdoor exhibition area, which allows for juxtaposition of vintage aircraft against the backdrop of the active Malpensa runway.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the site spans a very large, multi-pavilion layout.
Check the schedule for flight simulator availability upon arrival, as these require specific staff assistance.
Bring light layers if visiting in cooler months, as some of the larger hangar spaces are cavernous.
Do not attempt to see the entire facility in less than three hours; the scale is significantly larger than a typical indoor museum.
Closed on Mondays throughout the year.
