Palazzo Reale

Visit the museums and exhibition spaces housed within the Palazzo Reale. This former royal palace was home to the government of Milan before it became an important centre in the cultural landscape of the city. The modest exterior gives little indication of the treasures that lie within the palace. Go inside to take in the richly decorated interior. Lovers of history and art will find plenty to fill up at least half a day here.

Learn about the history of Milan and the former occupants of the palace at the Palace Museum. Browse four different exhibitions that focus on four periods of Milanese history. Start in the neoclassical section, then explore Napoleonic, Restoration and finally the unification of Italy. Gain a feel for the past and an understanding of modern Milan.

The palace survived World War II bombing relatively unscathed, and its rooms have been refurbished with much of the original architecture intact. Picasso’s powerful painting Guernica, about the perils of war, was hung here during the 1950s. Today art is a central focus of the palace, with 7,000-square metres (75,000-square feet) of exhibition spaces. Browse more than 1,500 paintings from around the world in temporary exhibitions. Check the Palazzo Reale’s website for details about current exhibits. Bob Dylan, Monet and Modigliani have all been the subject of popular exhibitions here.

Move through the palace’s rooms into the courtyard, where the looming presence of the Duomo takes centre stage. Take a photograph of the cathedral without the crowds of the busy Piazza del Duomo just outside the gates. The architecture of the Palazzo Reale stands in contrast to the lavish design of the largest church in Italy.

The Palazzo Reale lies on the main square of Milan, just steps from some of the city’s most popular attractions and within walking distance of many hotels. There is a metro station at the Duomo. The palace is open daily and there is a fee to enter.