TOURS
One of the Most Intriguing Historical Places in BC
The Caetani Centre is home to one of most intriguing historical places in British Columbia. It is both one of the “best kept secrets” and one of the most beloved of Vernon BC’s tourist attractions.
We invite you to come find out why as you explore the history and lore held inside of this 125+ year-old heritage house. Learn about the fascinating world of this elusive branch of the Caetani family, descendants of Italian royalty, and their intriguing story through guided, self-guided or private tours of the Caetani House.
Chanel, Vuitton and a Letter from Einstein…
Sveva Caetani donated her house and property to the Greater Vernon community in 1994. It took until 2021 for this to become a reality, with the return of some of the family’s collections from museums across Canada and around the world. Some of the family’s belongings, heirlooms, jewelry and fashion were sold or went to auction and will never be returned.
On your tour, you will be able to view what has been returned to Sveva’s former home, including vintage haute couture Chanel and Vionnet fashions, luggage designed for the family by Vuitton, and a letter to Sveva Caetani from Albert Einstein, hand signed (and with a small typo!). Family photographs and home movies are also on display.
Sveva’s Life’s Work Returns Home
Since the 2021 repatriation of Sveva’s watercolour series, Recapitulation, sections of the luminous and awe-inspiring series have been shown in the Caetani Gallery.
However, as of July 2025, the entire series of 47 paintings has left the Caetani Centre for an exhibition at the National Museum of 21st Century Art in Rome, Italy.
The MAXXI exhibition titled “Sveva Caetani: Forma e Frammento (Form and Fragment)” will show Recapitulation in its entirety for the first time. The exhibit opens October 3, 2025, and ends January 4, 2026.
The artwork is set to return to Vernon, B.C, at the beginning of 2026.
Click here to learn more about Sveva Caetani’s fascinating story.
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Come see our ever-evolving heritage displays, Caetani home videos, 1920’s haute couture, and a variety of art work by Sveva Caetani. Information cards are placed throughout the museum to support your self-guided experience.
Our office hours through the fall starting on August 26, 2025 are from 10 AM to 4 PM Tuesday to Friday.
Please contact us at 250-275-152 if you have any questions.
Admission is by donation at the door.
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Regular Guided Tours are officially over for the season but will return for summer 2026. Take a Private or self-guided tour instead!
Please Contact Us if you have any questions or wish to book a School Tour or Private Guided Tour throughout the year.
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Private Guided Tours of the Caetani Centre are available throughout the year for families, book clubs, special interest groups, corporate groups and more.
Private Tours are available by appointment only.
Please Contact Us to make arrangements.
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Our field trip program connects students to curricular competencies in Social Studies, Arts Education, English Language Arts, as well as other related disciplinary curricular connections.
Field Trips are available Tuesdays to Fridays from September to June.