With so much to do in Milan, you might find yourself asking whether there’s any time in a hectic day to simply stop and catch your breath, never mind sitting down to paint a street scene, or sculpt a likeness. Nevertheless, Milan has been recognized as one of the cultural hotspots of the world since the 1600’s, and the sheer number of galleries and exhibitions stands as a testament to the fact that Milan’s art scene is still going strong today. If you have time to explore Milan centre for yourself you’ll find several amazing places to appreciate the art of Italy.

Ambrosian Art Gallery

Set inside the Biblioteca Ambrosiana, and named after Ambrose the patron saint of Milan, the gallery has been open since 1618. Located in Milan Centre, hotels and restaurants nearby, it’s easy to spend a whole day exploring the gallery’s treasures with everything you need close at hand. Containing some 12,000 drawings by European artists from the 14th through to the 19th centuries, the gallery is centred on the paintings of Cardinal Borromeo, exhibited in the first building of the gallery. Borromeo sent agents to search western Europe, and even Greece and Syria for artworks and books for the gallery and library; today, the gallery is a testament to the search for new and enduring works of art.

Brera Art Gallery

Probably the first gallery you’ll be directed to from a Milan centre hotel, the Brera art gallery is undoubtedly the most famous; host to the most significant art collection in Italy, and an outgrowth of the Brera Academy with which it shares the site. Originally intended to teach architecture and sculpture, the Academy began increasing its cultural scope in the 17th century, based around the acquisition of Raphael’s ‘Sposalizio’, a key painting of the early collection. Situated in a 16th century palace, each of its thirty-one rooms is filled with remarkable works of art, including works by Caravaggio, Raphael, Mantegna, and many others.

Civic Museum of Contemporary Art

If modern art is more to your taste, you don’t have to look much further than the Civico Museo d’Arte Contemporanea. Located on the second floor of the Palazzo Reale, it features an impressive range of modern artists, with names such as Amedeo Modigliani, Paul Cezanne, Vasily Kandinsky, and Vincent Van Gogh among others. The gallery is divided into two main sections – the first featuring Italian art from the 20th century up to the 1950’s, and the second featuring Italian art from the 1950’s onwards. This section includes the famous Jucker collections, and exhibits by Alberto Burri, Piero Manzoni and Vedova. Though the gallery is often crowded due to the location of the Piazza del Duomo in Milan centre, hotel tours and special events mean there’s often a way to beat the crowds.

With so much to offer in Milan centre, hotel or guided tours are often the best way to spend a day immersing yourself in the galleries of the city. You may even be inspired enough to find time for a little painting.

Author Bio: Nina Hilgemann works in e-marketing and CRM for World Hotels, a company offering the best Milan centre hotel accommodation and a selection of unique four and five star hotels around the world.

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