Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan

Pinacoteca di Brera is the largest and most renowned art gallery in Milan. Opened in 1809, it continues to attract art lovers from around the world like a magnet.

Its collection features works by European painters of the 15th–17th centuries and masterpieces by Italian artists from the 14th to 19th centuries, including Raphael, Caravaggio, Modigliani, Bramante, Tintoretto, and others.

Main Collection

Pinacoteca di Brera occupies 38 rooms inside a late 16th-century Baroque-style palazzo. The same building also houses the Milan Academy of Fine Arts (Accademia di Belle Arti Milano), located on the ground floor. It was originally for the benefit of the academy’s students that Empress Maria Theresa of Austria ordered the creation of a painting gallery in Milan at the end of the 18th century.

Paintings

The paintings are arranged by two principles:

• chronological order;
• by artistic school (Lombard, Venetian, or Tuscan).

The only exception is Hall X, dedicated entirely to 20th-century artists. The final hall, Room XXXVIII, features a portrait collection by painters from various schools.
The true gem of Brera’s gallery is considered to be Raphael’s painting “The Marriage of the Virgin” (Lo sposalizio della Vergine).

But the gallery holds many other masterpieces as well: Caravaggio’s “Supper at Emmaus,” Tintoretto’s “The Miracle of Saint Mark,” Piero della Francesca’s “Montefeltro Altarpiece,” and more. Among the European painters represented are El Greco, Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Goya, and many others.

The collection focuses heavily on Christian themes—Madonna and Christ, the Crucifixion, and the lives of saints and apostles.

Each hall is furnished with soft seating where visitors can rest and admire the artwork.

Photography and video recording are prohibited. At the end of each room, you’ll find information stands with descriptions of the artworks in both English and Italian. Audio guides are available for an additional fee, also in English and Italian only. At the entrance, visitors can purchase colorful, beautifully printed booklets offering concise descriptions of the artworks and further information.

What Else to See?

Visiting Brera Street in Milan is worthwhile not only for the famous art gallery. The same building and its surroundings house several other attractions.
After exiting the final hall of the museum, visitors can enter a space featuring an extensive and fascinating exhibition of medieval art.

Here, you can purchase art albums, books on the Pinacoteca di Brera itself, and literature about great painters and the history of painting as an art form.

Near the gallery’s exit is a small restoration workshop, separated from the main space by glass walls. Through the glass, visitors can observe the meticulous process of restoring antique paintings—an absolutely captivating and one-of-a-kind experience.

Next to the Pinacoteca building, there’s a small designer boutique offering a variety of unique items: handmade shawls, outerwear, dresses, suits, and retro-style accessories.

If your tour of the gallery has left you tired or hungry, you’ll find several cafés open on the terrace during the warmer months. Prices tend to be on the higher side. For a more affordable option, head down to a small basement café in the inner courtyard—frequented mostly by students. While it may not offer gourmet meals, the coffee, sweets, and snacks are quite enjoyable.

Address and Opening Hours

The Pinacoteca di Brera is located in Milan at via Brera 28, in the heart of the Brera district. The building is not immediately visible from the street—it’s accessed through a narrow passageway between neighboring structures, which leads to a charming palazzo courtyard adorned with elegant sculptures and marble staircases.

The gallery is open daily from 8:30 AM to 7:15 PM, except on Mondays and public holidays: January 1, May 1, and December 25. Keep in mind that ticket sales end at 6:40 PM. General admission is €15, reduced tickets cost €10, and an audio guide is available for €5 in Italian, English, French, and Spanish.

For up-to-date information on hours and ticket pricing, visit the official website: pinacotecabrera.org/visita/ingressi/.

How to Get There

• Metro: Line 2 (Lanza stop) – Line 3 (Montenapoleone stop);
• Tram: 1, 4, 12, 14, 27;
• Bus: 61.