Museo Del Novocento

Milan’s Museo Del Novecento has one of the most prominent (and convenient) addresses in the city; right next to the Duomo, which is where most people visiting Milan sooner or later eventually end up anyway. 

The building was designed by Enrico Agostino Griffini, Pier Giulio Magistretti, Giovanni Muzio, and Piero Portaluppi, and later renovated by the Rota Group. 

Initially, the Palazzo dell’Arengarlo was planned as a government building for the Fascist regime, which is noticeable in the distinctly Fascist style, expressed through clean lines and allusions to the building style popular in Ancient Rome. 

The two symmetrical buildings were supposed to be connected with one another via a large arch, mirroring the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II entrance on the other side of the Piazza del Duomo. 

But the project suffered many bombings during World War II, and the arch was never realised. 

Construction wasn’t completed until 1956, 20 years after the start of the building process.

The façade reliefs on the eastern wing were decorated by Arturo Martini and depicts historical events linked to Christianity, Milan, and Lombardy. 

In the early 2000s, the palace was restored, and since 2010, it is home to Museo del Novecento, dedicated to 20th century art, with a strong focus on Italian artists and artistic movements. 

Many are drawn here for the renowned collection of Italian Futurist paintings. Most of the works on display are Italian, with a few exceptions by international artists such as Picasso, Mondrian, Klee, Léger, and Matisse. Some rooms are dedicated to individual artists (like Fontana and Morandi) while others offer an exploration of a particular movement, such as Arte povera, post-impressionism, and realism. 

The location of the museum means that the visitor will have spectacular views of the Duomo, through the tall windows overlooking the Piazza del Duomo, an intricate part of the palazzo’s architectural signature, making parts of the building appear to be made out of more glass than stone. 

Inside, the initial “staircase”, curved like a serpentine (not unlike the Guggenheim in New York) is also a nice detail. 

Don’t miss the restaurant and bar on the top floor. 

Museo del Novecento