Jan 25, 2026
Where art and romance meet in Milan - A true jewel in the heart of Milan, the Ambrosiana proved to be the perfect cultural destination for my appointment. Showing my companion Leonardo's Codex Atlanticus, seeing those brilliant pages up close, filled me with a quiet local pride. The rooms dedicated to Caravaggio were equally hypnotic, creating an intimate and silent atmosphere that made the outside world vanish. Although the main halls were a bit crowded for a Saturday afternoon, it was a small price to pay for sharing so much beauty. It was a reminder of the deep art we have at hand and an experience that felt both inspiring and romantic. We will definitely be back.
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Jan 17, 2026
Unbelievable experience - Unbelievable library, soo cool and historic! A must see, soo much to see, very worth it. This is a must do you'll never forget
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jan 1, 2026
Visit Museum before the New Year's Eve party. - Always nice to dive into the culture and beauty of local artists. The da Vinci Atlantic Code is something exceptional. For a moment it projects you into another world.
Well organized art gallery and intuitive route.
It is worth the visit observing everything with relaxation.
Recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dec 8, 2025
Masterpieces Up Close & Personal - I visited the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana after an unsatisfactory food tour and I'm glad I did.
This visit saved the day; the art was enriching and it ended up being one of my favorite stops of the visit to Milan.
It was early afternoon and not crowded but there were people strolling in and out of the galleries.
Naturally, the showstoppers are two masterpieces by two of the most famous artists in the world: Raphael’s Cartone di Scuola di Atene and Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Atlanticus.
Raphael’s cartoon is huge, it takes up an entire wall — though I know Raphael's style is usually to go big or go home. I saw some of his work in the Vatican Museums years ago.
Seeing the detailed, precise charcoal lines up close is amazing, especially when you realize how old his cartoon is.
There's a video explaining who is who in The School of Athens and books on the process on how the cartoon was created.
Then there’s the Codex. Seeing his sketches, notes, ideas is awe-inspiring. He had written these over 500 years ago and he's still inspiring us today.
Some people knock da Vinci for never finishing anything but I don't see it that way.
He was an overachiever, always nitpicking his own work, never satisfied as some artists and creatives are—in maybe not such a healthy way but da Vinci can do whatever he wanted. He's da Vinci.
I still can't help but wonder how one person could think about so many things at once.
I can't forget to mention there were other special exhibits and art from Caravaggio, Titian, and other Renaissance painters.
The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana is an unassuming museum, not even on a main street, but sort of hidden away in the back.
If you like art, history or da Vinci (or all of the above) and have just an hour, spend the time here.
You won't regret it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nov 9, 2025
History and art in Milan - The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana in Milan is one of the most historic and emblematic art galleries in Italy. It was founded in 1618 by Cardinal Federico Borromeo, who had already instituted the Ambrosian Library in 1609. The Pinacoteca was born with the aim of providing free art education and giving public access to high-quality cultural training, also integrating an academy of painting and sculpture that promoted artistic teaching. This institution was one of the first public paintings in the world and is closely linked to the Ambrosian Library, which houses one of the most valuable collections of manuscripts and historical documents (some 36,000 manuscripts and 750,000 prints).
Among the main artistic gems that can be visited are masterpieces by Italian and European Renaissance and Baroque artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Caravaggio, Titian and Raphael. Some of the most famous pieces include: Leonardo da Vinci’s “Portrait of a Musician”, one of the few paintings attributed with certainty to genius; Caravaggio’s “Fruit Basket”, known for its realism and detail that bring still life to life; Botticelli’s “Virgin of the Baldachin”, an exquisite work of the Renaissance; the preparatory cardboard for Raphael’s “School of Athens”, which shows the creative process of the teacher; Titian’s “Adoration of the Magi”, a vibrant and colorful depiction of this biblical scene; Bassano’s “Rest on the Flight to Egypt”, with a more colorful palette, rich in contrasts; Brit’s “Landscape with St. Paul”, a mixture of sacred scenes and intricate landscapes; Luini’s “The Holy Family”, based on his teacher, Leonardo Da Vinci; “Detail of Gaston’s Tomb of Foix, small marble panels, extraordinary high reliefs (most of the monument is in Castello Sforzesco).
In addition, the museum guards Leonardo da Vinci’s famous “Atlantic Codex”, a vast collection with more than a thousand pages of drawings and notes on various areas of knowledge and invention.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nov 8, 2025
Paintings, sculptures, and books--something for everyone at the Ambrosiana - It was a drizzly day in Milan, so I decided to skip a planned visit to Parco Sempione and go , instead, to a museum. The Ambrosiana is a very short walk from the Duomo metro stop. The art is beauiful. I always prefer statues to paintings, and there were plenty of both. As you exit the art gallery, you pass through the biblioteca, the library portion of the Ambrosiana. There are apparently one million printed volumes in the library. I don't know how many you see as you are leaving, but the shelves are impressive. Some of the library's collection of daVinci notes and drawings are on display.
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Oct 31, 2025
Cartoni di Raphaello - The best museum in Milan. Better than the museum highlights, I was mostly impressed by the cartoni di Raffaello and the Breughel room.
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Oct 18, 2025
Fantastic Museum - It is a magnificent museum, with many important works of painting, some of them world-class masterpieces.
Too bad, however, that in the penultimate room, perhaps the most important of all, with the frescoes of Christ Crowned with Thorns, the Last Supper, the Musician, etc., the posters of the works could not be read, because they were in the most complete darkness. I understand that for the best preservation of the paintings, the light should be low, but this does not apply to the posters, which are to be read. Unbelievable that the museum management didn't realize this.
I was a little disappointed with Codex Atlanticus, because Leonardo da Vinci’s sketches have very little contrast and are difficult to understand.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oct 7, 2025
Recommend! - This museum is really a must-see in Milan - don't pass it up! The museum is beautiful - not just the art, but how it is displayed (lighting, frames etc.). The wood, tiles and architecture is this museum is an absolute feast for your eyes. ENJOY!!!
Review provided by Viator
Dec 23, 2025
More respect for visitors - The picture gallery is rich and interesting, especially the Brughel room and Raphael's table. Cons: high cost, you can not use the teacher card and there is no discount for teachers. The staff was rude, the directions not always clear, ultimately you go out in a completely different part than the entrance. On a rainy day I left my umbrella on one side and then I had to walk in the rain to retrieve it
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