Pinacoteca Ambrosiana

The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana is a Museum in Milan which is situated close to Piazza del Duomo, in the centre of the city.

The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana was founded in 1618 for want of Cardinal Federico Borromeo who also donated his private art collection. This collection was composed of almost 250 paintings among which there were the works of vey important artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Raffaello, and Caravaggio.

Nowadays, the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana hosts more than 1500 opera's all received during the course of its history. Among the most important paintings conserved in this museum there are "Ritratto di Musico" by Leonardo, the "Canestra di Frutta" by Caravaggio, the "Madonna del Padiglione" by Botticelli, and the great "Scuola di Atene" by Raffaello.

The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana is flanked by the Accademia delle Belle Arti and by the Biblioteca Ambrosiana, which was one of the first pubic libraries in Italy. The initial aim of the Pinacoteca was to contain those works which were an example for the students of the Accademia del Disegno da Federico Borromeo. The art school was not, however, very successful and was closed in 1776, whilst the Pinacoteca remained open and is still a Museum of great artistic interest.

Tourists interested in visiting the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana can stay in one of the many hotels in Milan, city well equipped for the reception of tourists, especially in the central area where this Museum is situated.