See paintings by masters such as Raphael and Caravaggio at the Brera Art Gallery (Pinacoteca di Brera), one of the most important art galleries in Europe. The gallery features various works from the Neoclassical, Napoleonic and Romantic periods. The gallery is housed in a 14th-century monastery that has become an important cultural centre, with the Braidense National Library, the Academy of Fine Arts and the Astronomical Observatory all within the one complex.
There are more than 400 works dating back to the 14th century in the Brera Art Gallery. You’ll see mostly paintings and sculpture, which are organised chronologically. The comprehensive collection is a who’s who of Italian art. There are many recognisable works, including The Marriage of the Virgin by Raphael and Andrea Mantegna’s Madonna of the Cherubim. Seek out a series of paintings by Rembrandt and another by Titian. Works by Caravaggio, Giovanni Bellini, Fattori and Canaletto are also on display. There are still lifes and portraits of Italian nobility alongside religious paintings. Pay a small fee for an audio guide to learn about the history of Italian art and the story behind some of the most important works.
Leave time to explore the former monastery. The Academy of Fine Arts has been here since the end of the 18th century, and students still mill about the grounds today. Wander through the complex to take in its many courtyards and manicured lawns. See a statue of Napoleon, walk through the Botanic Gardens and visit the Brera Observatory. Spend an afternoon or an entire day exploring the institutions and grounds.
The Brera Art Gallery is closed on Mondays and some public holidays and there is a small fee for admission. Check the website for specific opening hours.
The easiest way to get to the gallery is by metro. The gallery is a short walk from Parco Sempione and surrounded by many shops and cafés.
