Yeah, thanks Facebook for the reminder that a year ago today we were enjoying Milan (picture me doing a vastly over exaggerated eye roll right here please?)…
The beginning of this Easter Holiday is not quite as exciting in the Bavarian Sojourn Household as stage one of the house project is finished up. We had expected another week or so of work to be fair, and hadn’t booked anything accordingly as I wanted to be around “just in case”…. It’s like having another child having a house isn’t it? Can’t leave it in the care of someone else without worrying AND just as expensive!!
Anyway. Today, a year ago, we ventured to the beautiful Pinacoteca Di Brera – one of the most important art galleries in Italy (a vast improvement on my Today in 2019 which consisted of overdue library fines, furniture shifting and being a Mum Taxi)! You wouldn’t think so given that it’s almost one of the least visited (as you can probably tell by the photos that follow) compared to others. I put this down to the fact that Milan has a lot of competition when it comes to art (Leonardo, you are to blame!) but when you read in many guide books that it contains mostly religious art, this obviously doesn’t appeal to everyone.
It doesn’t appeal to me a lot of the time, but there are some spectacular pieces in here that you should see if art means anything to you at all – pieces by Raphael, Caravaggio, Tintoretto to name but a few, all 400 pictures hung across 38 colourful halls, and all according to which school of art they came from…
If you don’t happen to appreciate such things, but secretly like a bit of architecture, then you should still visit. The Gallery is situated on the second floor of the Palazzo Di Brera ( with The Academy of Art below), and is set around a rectangular courtyard with magnificent marble stair cases, and a statue of Napoleon in the guise of Mars the Peacemaker at the very centre.
Our visit happened to coincide with Graduation time in Milan, so we were able to witness many a boozy celebration complete with confetti cannons EVERYWHERE. Look out for them at this time of year – they wear the most gorgeous floral crowns – a stark comparison to our boring mortar boards!
In Autumn of this year, a new modernist collection will open just up the road at Palazzo Citterio which means we are just going to have to go back to Milan soon. It’s actually not like I really need any kind of excuse though…
PS. Via Brera has a few touristy restaurants nearby, be careful about which one you pick if you are hungry! They are well-known for whacking on ridiculous charges, and for food that’s not brilliant. A little more happily it’s also the Antique Market neighbourhood on a weekend fellow flea market appreciators!
Sarah | Boo Roo and Tigger Too says
A beautiful place to visit, look at that amazing ceiling – truly stunning. My children would love the idea of the confetti cannons!
Emma says
It really is beautiful! Thanks Sarah! :)
Stephanie says
I’ve never been to Milan but what a gorgeous gallery! I’ll definitely have to add it to the bucket list x
Emma says
You must Stephanie! :) x
Anosa says
The Pinacoteca Di Brera is truly beautiful, I missed it when i was last in Milan but vowed to return.
Emma says
You have to! Thanks Anosa!
Kirsty says
What an incredible place to visit with so much beautiful artwork to see. I’d love the opportunity to visit one day
Emma says
Thanks Kirsty! :)
Lauretta at Home and Horizonl says
Pinacoteca Di Brera sound like the best place for art lovers who come to visit Milan. If I happen to be there, I think I’d pay this place a visit.
Emma says
You must Lauretta! :)
Winsze says
Your trip last year sounds amazing, the library looks so cultured – the size of it, wow! I do love learning about history and visiting galleries and museums, thanks for sharing!
Emma says
Thanks so much! :)
michelle twin mum says
It looks really great, something for everyone and a great gallery to look around. Who doesn’t want to go to Milan? Mich x
Emma says
I LOVE Milan! :)
Jenny says
I love exploring places that are off the tourist track, it’s much easier to appreciate the art!
Emma says
Definitely! Thanks Jenny! :)
Kara says
I think mine would be more interested in the confetti cannons than the art, but looks like a wonderful trip nonetheless
Emma says
My older two are used to galleries, but the youngest one not so much! :D