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and is closely linked to the Ambrosian Library, which houses one of the most valuable collections of manuscripts and historical documents (some 36,000 manuscripts and 750,000 prints).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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!!

DaVinci comes alive. - The museum has a fine collection of medieval art including a Botticelli but the display of a few of the pages from Leonardo DaVinci’s Codex is the star attraction. Original drawings from the master himself. And to top it off, A DaVinci painting as well. There are only a handful in existence making this very special.

Excellent art collection and oldest museum in Milan - Good value, tickets around €17 or €13 concessions. We spent around 2.5 to 3 hours here. There is a lot to see. Highlights are the works by Tiziano, Luini, Caravaggio, Botticelli, Raphael, and the one painting by Leonardo. There is a range of Leonardo codex , all his work and notes made during his work, inventions, and ideas in an impressive library. Tips: you have to put your backpack in a locker €1 returnable. Don't forget to pick it up as you exit the museum at the other side! This is one of the top 5 visitor attractions and I'm so glad that we came

Charming surprise - Raphael's drawings alone make the visit worthwhile. Remarkable italian Renaissance masters. Small but very nice museum building on the inside.

Leonardo da Vinci - Worth visiting the place especially if you interested in Leonardo da Vinci history. Library is a great place demonstrating human smartness and achievements.

Absolutely Appalling Experience – Avoid if You Have Access Needs - Having travelled extensively across Italy over many years, I can honestly say that our visit to the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana was, without doubt, the worst experience we’ve ever had in the country. I visited with my disabled partner, and from the outset, we were met with rudeness and a complete lack of consideration. No one informed us about what areas were or weren’t accessible — information that should have been clearly communicated at the entrance. Instead, staff brusquely demanded that we hand over our bags and told us to wait, without offering any explanation or assistance. When we were finally allowed to continue, we had barely spent ten minutes viewing the collection before a member of staff tracked us down and effectively *frogmarched* us out of the building. We were informed, in an abrupt and humiliating manner, that certain areas could not be accessed with a wheelchair or walker — something that could and should have been explained calmly and discreetly beforehand. The entire experience was deeply embarrassing, unnecessarily aggressive, and shockingly unprofessional. It was made painfully clear that accessibility and basic respect for disabled visitors are simply not a priority here. In a country known for its warmth and hospitality, the treatment we received was not only disappointing, but disgraceful. Milan has many exceptional cultural sites that are welcoming and inclusive — sadly, the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana is not one of them. If you or someone in your group has mobility needs, I strongly advise you to avoid this place entirely.