Brera Art Gallery: a precious collection of art masterpieces in the heart of Milan

The Pinacoteca di Brera: an oasis of art in Milan 

Located in the heart of Milan, the Pinacoteca di Brera is one of the most important museums in Italy. Opened to the public in 1809, it houses an extraordinary collection of paintings from the 13th to the 20th century, mainly by Italian artists.

Strolling through the museum's rooms, you can observe the evolution of Italian art, from medieval works to Renaissance masterpieces and more modern works.

Among the most famous works in the Pinacoteca is Raphael's "Marriage of the Virgin," which enchants the characters with its harmony, colours, and sweetness. Andrea Mantegna's "Dead Christ " has a strong emotional impact.

Those who love bright colours and light will admire Giovanni Bellini's works, such as his intense "Pietà," and masterpieces by Tiziano, Tintoretto, and Veronese in the rooms dedicated to Veneto painting.

Another iconic Brera painting is "The Kiss" by Francesco Hayez. It is a passionate and patriotic work that symbolises the Italian Risorgimento.

The Pinacoteca is housed in the large Brera palace. The palace opens onto an elegant courtyard, at the centre of which is the Monument to Napoleon, designed by Antonio Canova.

It also houses other important institutions, such as the Braidense National Library, the Brera Astronomical Observatory, the Botanical Garden, the Lombard Institute of Science and Letters, and the Academy of Fine Arts.

The Pinacoteca is not only a place to admire works of art but also a centre of culture and research that allows the public to observe restoration activities, temporary exhibitions and educational activities.

A visit to the Pinacoteca di Brera is a journey through the beauty and history of Italian art.

Useful information for visiting the Brera Art Gallery

Opening hours: Tuesday - Wednesday - Thursday - Friday - Saturday - Sunday - from 8.30 a.m. to 7.15 p.m. (last admission at 6 p.m.)

Closed: every Monday - 25 December

Reservations are always required.

Tickets and costs:

Full: € 15.00 / Reduced: € 10.00

Free admission with compulsory booking every first Sunday of the month

Reductions and free admission (with valid document):

- EU citizens aged 18 to 25: € 2.00. The reduction also applies to Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein citizens.

- Over 70 years (Tuesdays and Wednesdays): € 7,50

- Families: € 10.00 per adult. 'Families' means 1 or 2 adults + max. 5 minors, not necessarily related.

- Persons with an unemployment certificate: € 5.00

Free of charge:

- Children under 18 (children under 12 must be accompanied)

- People with disabilities

With the presentation of a report according to Law 104. For foreign visitors, equivalent certification is required.

Suppose the person with a disability requires accompaniment. In that case, the accompanying person (a family member or other accompanying person who can prove that they are a member of a social assistance service) will also be entitled to FREE admission. If not authorised, pay attention to the ZTL.

- Teachers of Italian state and private schools (tenured or with a fixed-term contract with service certification for the current year)

- Teachers and students of Italian universities, faculties of architecture, cultural heritage conservation, design, education sciences and degree courses in literature or literary subjects with an archaeological or historical-artistic focus of the faculties of literature and philosophy (or corresponding faculties and courses in the EU). A paper or virtual document proving registration for the current year will be required.

- Guides and interpreters with a professional licence

- MiC employees

- Freelance and professional journalists (enrolled in the Italian national register with payment for the current year). Foreign journalists or journalists with different documents, free of charge only, with documentation up-to-date to the current year (e.g. professional card)

- Operators of voluntary associations operating through agreements at the MiC peripheral offices

- Researchers and scholars, subject to authorisation by the Art Gallery or the General Directorate for Museums

- Honorary inspectors and conservators of the Ministry

- Military members of the Cultural Heritage Protection Unit

- I.C.O.M. (International Council of Museums) members

- Association of Friends of Brera and Milanese Museums

- Abbonamento Musei Lombardia

- I.C.R.O.M. Members

Accessibility information:

The Pinacoteca di Brera is accessible to people with disabilities and reduced mobility.

The entrance with the lift is at Via Fiori Oscuri 2 (Reception Pinacoteca). Reserved parking is available in the courtyard. Two electric wheelchairs are available at the ticket office.

In collaboration with the Associazione Nazionale Subvedenti Onlus, the Pinacoteca di Brera participates in DescriVedendo, a shared language between visually impaired and commonly sighted people, to explore art together.

How to get to the Brera Art Gallery

The Pinacoteca di Brera is located at Via Brera 28, right in the city centre. Reaching the Pinacoteca by public transport is easy and the most convenient choice.

Underground: M2 Lanza, M3 Montenapoleone, M1 Cairoli

BUS: 61 (via Pontaccio/ via Monte di Pietà) - 57 (Foro Buonaparte)

TRAMS 1-2-12-14 (via Cusani), 4 (Lanza)

By bike: BikeMi station no. 57 - Brera

By car: Parking Car Brera (fee-paying) via Brera 3/A

By train: from Stazione Centrale: M2 and M3

- From Stazione Garibaldi: M2. From Garibaldi station, the Pinacoteca is a 20-minute walk.

- From Cadorna Fn station: M2 connection. From Cadorna station, the Pinacoteca is a 16-minute walk.

By plane:

- From Malpensa Airport: Malpensa Express train to Cadorna Station then Metro M2 (Lanza)

- From Linate Airport: bus 73 (San Babila), then Bus 61 (via Pontaccio)

- From Orio al Serio Airport: shuttle to Central Station, then Metro M3 (Montenapoleone)

Frequently Asked Questions about visiting the Brera Art Gallery

What is the Brera Art Gallery famous for?
The Pinacoteca di Brera is famous for its rich collection of works of art (over 500 works on display and many more in storage), ranging from the 14th to the 20th century. The museum houses masterpieces by Italian and foreign artists. Among the most famous works are Tintoretto's "Finding of the Body of St Mark", Raphael's "Marriage of the Virgin", Mantegna's "Dead Christ", Caravaggio's "Supper at Emmaus", Francesco Hayez's "The Kiss" and St Mark's "Sermon to Alexandria of Egypt". The Pinacoteca is an essential stop for anyone who wants to learn about the history of Italian art, with a focus on Veneto and Lombardy painting.

How much do tickets for the Pinacoteca di Brera in Milan cost?
Admission to the Pinacoteca di Brera costs € 15.00. Various reductions are available, which you can check in the 'Useful information' section. It is possible to visit the Pinacoteca free of charge every first Sunday of the month, subject to prior booking.

How long does it take to visit the Brera Art Gallery?
The guided tour lasts about 2 hours. Free visitors also have about 2 hours to visit the Pinacoteca. Please remember to respect the entrance times. Entry to the museum is permitted up to 15 minutes after the time stated on the ticket.

Who wanted the Brera Art Gallery?
The Pinacoteca di Brera was founded in 1809 at Napoleon Bonaparte's behest to exhibit paintings from the territories conquered by the French armies. Before Napoleon, in 1776, Maria Theresa of Austria had already founded the Brera Academy of Fine Arts.

What is the meaning of the name Brera?
Like the district itself, the building that houses the picture gallery is named Brera. The word 'Brera', derives from 'braida' or 'breda', which in the Lombard language and ancient Latin described an agricultural area, often on the outskirts of the city or village, used for farming or stockbreeding.

The History of the Brera Art Gallery

The Brera Art Gallery was officially established in 1809 by Napoleon. Previously, in 1776, Maria Theresa of Austria had already founded the Academy of Fine Arts. When Milan became the capital of the Kingdom of Italy, Napoleon wanted to transform the existing collection of works into a museum where the most important paintings from all the territories conquered by the French armies were displayed.

In fact, unlike other great Italian museums, the Brera Museum did not originate from the private collections of princes or nobles but from political and state collections.

Following the suppression of many religious orders in the early 19th century, many works requisitioned from churches and convents in Lombardy arrived at Brera. This explains the large number of sacred paintings, often large-format, that give the museum a special appearance.

Pinacoteca di Brera: the famous works

The most famous works in the Pinacoteca di Brera are: "Dead Christ in the Sepulchre and Three Mourners" by Andrea Mantegna, "Marriage of the Virgin" by Raffaello Sanzio, "Kiss" by Francesco Hayez, "Supper at Emmaus" by Caravaggio, "Pietà" by Giovanni Bellini, "The Finding of the Body of St. Mark" by Tintoretto, "Madonna and Child with Saints, Angels and Federico da Montefeltro" (San Bernardino Altarpiece) by Piero della Francesca, "St. Mark's Preaching in a Square in Alexandria" by Gentile Bellini and Giovanni Bellini.

Visiting the Pinacoteca di Brera will allow you to discover many lesser-known but highly valuable paintings.

Pinacoteca di Brera: what to see

A visit to the Pinacoteca di Brera offers a rich collection of works of art from the 14th to the 20th century. The museum houses masterpieces by great Italian and foreign artists, including Andrea Mantegna, Caravaggio, Raffaello Sanzio, Tintoretto, Piero della Francesca, and Hayez.

During the exhibition tour, it is possible to observe the conservation activities of the restoration workshop. This luminous and transparent structure allows visitors to follow the phases of restoration, observing the works from different points of view. There are also two monitors with information and films on the restoration work in progress. Twice a month, it is possible to participate in meetings dedicated to restoration activities where experts answer visitors' questions.

Pinacoteca di Brera: works by Leonardo da Vinci

There are no works by Leonardo Da Vinci on permanent exhibition in the Pinacoteca di Brera. However, the Pinacoteca holds a collection of drawings, among which are two by Leonardo Da Vinci. The first drawing, dated around 1494, is the Head of Christ, a preparatory drawing for the Last Supper, made in chalk and pastel on paper. The second drawing, dated 1510-1511, contains notes and drawings for a water meter Leonardo designed for the nobleman Bernardo di Giovanni Rucellai.