Not just Leonardo: Unique Museums and Villas to Visit in Milan
An informative guide to interesting museums and villas in Milan…that aren’t Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
by Audrey Simpson, Madison Dramstead, Noelle Jorgenson, Erick Salazar
When most people think of Milan’s art scene, they immediately picture Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, The Last Supper. While the painting is undoubtedly one of the city’s most significant cultural treasures, Milan has much more to offer for art enthusiasts and history buffs. In an interview with Chiara Casagrande, a professor of Italian language and culture at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, we discussed some of the hidden gems of Milan, such as beautiful villas nestled in the heart of the city and overlooked galleries and exhibits.
“Museo Poldi Pezzoli, this casa museo (private home turned into a museum) is one of my favorite Milan hidden gems,” says Professor Casagrande. It is found at Via Manzoni 12, in Milan. Opened in 1881, the owner of the house, Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli, dedicated the site to the exhibition of the arts upon his death. This museum stands out for its intimate atmosphere and remarkable assortment of artworks and decorative objects. The museum has 30 displayed rooms and comprises various art pieces such as sculptures, carpets, embroidery, armor, jewels, porcelain, glass, furniture, sundials, and clocks. Over 5000 details, from antiques to more recent 19th-century works, are displayed. Visitors can explore an eclectic range of masterpieces, including paintings, sculptures, jewelry, armor, and textiles from various periods and cultures. The Museo Poldi Pezzoli provides a rare opportunity to admire diverse artistic treasures in an intimate setting, making it a must-visit destination for art lovers seeking a unique and immersive museum experience in Milan. The museum is closed on Tuesdays but open the rest of the week from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; visitors can purchase tickets for €15.
Another villa-turned-museum is Villa Necchi Campiglio (Via Mozart, 14). Located in the heart of Milan, Villa Necchi Campiglio is a stunning example of Italian architecture, design, and lifestyle. The villa was built between 1932–1935 by the Necchi family, who made their fortune in the textile industry. The architects responsible for the design were Piero Portaluppi and Tomaso Buzzi, well-known for their elegant and innovative style. One of the most impressive features of Villa Necchi Campiglio is the swimming pool, located on the villa’s ground floor. The outdoor space features a terrace that offers a breathtaking view of the villa and the city skyline.
Today, Villa Necchi Campiglio is a museum that allows visitors to experience the villa’s beauty and history. The museum houses a collection of artworks, furniture, and decorative objects that belonged to the Necchi family. Visitors can explore the various rooms of the villa, including the living room, the dining room, the library, and the bedrooms. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and cultural events, making it a vibrant and dynamic cultural hub in the heart of Milan. The Villa is open weekly from Wednesday to Sunday.
Museums contribute to the culture of their cities, and Milan is no exception. “Some museums turn into recognizable landmarks of Milan such as Castello Sforzesco, which houses 9 Milan museums, the Triennale Museum, or the Pinacoteca di Brera,” says Casagrande. Castello Sforzesco is a historic fortress turned museum showcasing a range of exhibits.
Notable highlights include the Museum of Ancient Art, featuring works by renowned artists like Michelangelo and Canaletto, and the Museum of Musical Instruments, which displays a diverse collection of instruments from different eras. The Egyptian Museum houses artifacts from ancient Egypt, while the Applied Arts Collection exhibits exquisite ceramics and textiles. With its rich cultural offerings and impressive architecture, the Castello Sforzesco is a must-visit for art and history enthusiasts in Milan.
Triennale di Milano (Viale Emilio Alemagna, 6) is one of Milan’s most well-known venues for art and design exhibitions. Founded in 1923, Triennale Milano has become one of the world’s leading cultural institutions by cultivating various art forms, including design, architecture, visual, and performing arts. It is one of the central locations during Milan Design Week, an internationally renowned event, and its rotating exhibitions of diverse art forms and eras often draw attention and wow visitors. The organization aims to promote culture and language and prompt innovative, critical thinking at a single location. The venue is open Tuesday-Sunday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m., and tickets are for purchase online for €15. Triennale Milano offers a 25 percent discount for students, allowing them to visit their famous collection at an affordable price.
“One of my favorite museums in Milan is Pinacoteca di Brera (Via Brera, 28), an art gallery in the center of Milan, where you can see some masterpieces including Mantegna’s Lamentation of Christ, Raphael’s Marriage of the Virgin and Caravaggio’s Supper at Emmaus, Hayez’s the Kiss,” said Casagrande. Pinacoteca di Brera is one of Italy’s most well-known and extensive art galleries. The museum’s location is in the Palazzo di Brera, which was originally a Jesuit college, and the building also contains the Academy of Fine Arts and the Braidense National Library. The Pinacoteca di Brera was established by Napoleon in 1809; its roots as an art gallery trace back to 1776 when Mary Therese of Austria ordered the creation of an educational exhibit to allow students to study the works on display personally. The Pinacoteca di Brera continued to grow through the French conquest of Italy when it became a site to showcase the most important pieces of art from all the areas taken over during the Napoleonic wars.
Today, most of the works on display at the Pinacoteca di Brera are Italian paintings ranging between the Quattrocento to Rococo periods, which took place between the 15th and 18th centuries. Their collection from the Renaissance and Baroque periods of Venetian and Lombard paintings is awe-inspiring. Tickets are available on a subscription basis and bought online in advance, and cost between €10 to €15. The ticket includes a BreraCARD, which allows the buyer to return to the museum an unlimited amount of times for three months, as well as access to BreraPLUS+, the museum’s online platform containing supplemental content to enhance the Pinacoteca di Brera visit. Additional discounts and reduced rates for students and other groups are also available on specific days. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m., with the last possible entrance at 6:00 p.m.
When asked about museums and exhibits she would recommend to students, Casagrande said, “Palazzo Reale, just next to the Duomo, always has interesting rotating exhibits to visit.” Palazzo Reale has a long history that dates back centuries. Initially, it was a residential square for Milan’s aristocracy during medieval times. Palazzo Reale, translated to “Royal Palace” in English, was home to the city’s ruling families like Visconti and Sforza. Today, the palace is a venue for significant art and cultural exhibitions in Milan and is a masterpiece of neoclassical architecture. Visitors can find this museum in the city’s center directly south of the Duomo (Piazza Del Duomo, 12). The venue is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Thursday nights.
Milan’s art scene extends far beyond the renowned masterpiece of The Last Supper, with hidden gems and unique exhibits that offer an enriching cultural experience. Museo Poldi Pezzoli is a private home turned museum, displaying an exceptional assortment of artworks and decorative objects. It's intimate atmosphere and diverse collection allow visitors to explore masterpieces from various periods and cultures. Another notable venue is Villa Necchi Campiglio, an architectural gem showcasing Italian design and lifestyle. This museum offers a glimpse into the villa’s history, with its impressive rooms and stunning swimming pool. The city is also home to prominent institutions like Castello Sforzesco, housing diverse museums, the Triennale di Milano, a hub for art and design exhibitions, and the renowned Pinacoteca di Brera, showcasing Italian paintings from the Renaissance to the Baroque period. Finally, Palazzo Reale is a historic site and exhibition venue showcasing significant art and cultural displays. Milan’s art scene is vibrant and diverse, offering an array of museums and exhibits that will captivate student visitors and enrich their understanding of art and history.
