After five decades of delays and meticulous planning, Milan’s Palazzo Citterio is finally set to open its doors on December 7, coinciding with the feast day of the city’s patron saint. The grand launch marks the completion of the ambitious Grande Brera project, uniting the Palazzo Citterio, Pinacoteca di Brera, and Braidense Library under one cultural hub designed to transform Milan into a global art capital.
Housed in a restored 18th-century building, Palazzo Citterio will feature over 200 modern and contemporary masterpieces, including works by Picasso (Head of a Bull), Morandi, Modigliani, and Boccioni, alongside pivotal pieces like Pellizza da Volpedo’s La Fiumana. The museum’s core collection stems from generous donations by the Jesi and Vitali families, further enriched by recent acquisitions, including two Morandi paintings.
Angelo Crespi, director of the Pinacoteca di Brera, anticipates a significant boost in cultural tourism, with projections of 50,000 additional visitors in the first year and annual revenues potentially doubling to €10 million. The inclusion of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, transferred as part of a national cultural reshuffle, adds further prestige to the district.
Plans for Palazzo Citterio date back to 1972, but challenges, including abandoned renovations and structural issues, delayed its opening. A €23 million restoration completed in 2018 addressed many of these problems, paving the way for this milestone.
With its state-of-the-art gallery and integration into the Brera district’s historical charm, Palazzo Citterio promises to elevate Milan’s cultural and financial standing, drawing art enthusiasts from around the globe.
