Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Milan
Milan, Italy
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Visitor Information
Museum Address
Piazza Pio XI 2, 20123 Milan, Italy
Milan, Italy
Ticket Prices
€15 (under 18 free)
Featured Artists
4 artists in database
The Biblioteca Ambrosiana was founded in 1609 by Cardinal Federico Borromeo and named after Milan's patron saint, Ambrose. It became one of Europe's first public libraries when it opened that same year. Borromeo's agents traveled across Europe, Greece, and Syria collecting manuscripts, eventually amassing roughly one million printed volumes and 40,000 manuscripts.
The Pinacoteca art gallery, added in 1618, displays paintings from Borromeo's personal donation. Leonardo da Vinci's Codex Atlanticus, the largest existing collection of Leonardo's drawings and writings (1,119 pages), remains among its most treasured holdings. The library also preserves manuscripts by Virgil annotated by Petrarch.
Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Milan in Milan, Italy houses 6 masterpieces in our database, including works by Bernardino Luini, Leonardo da Vinci and Caravaggio and 1 other artists. Notable works include Petrarch's Virgil (title page) and Automobile.
Famous Works at Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Milan
Browse 6 notable artworks in our database. Click any work to see details and plan your visit.
Visiting Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Milan
Leonardo da Vinci's Codex Atlanticus (1,119 pages of drawings), the Pinacoteca with works by Caravaggio and Raphael, and one of Europe's oldest public libraries founded in 1609.
Adult admission is €15, including audio guide. Students and youth (14-18) pay €10. Under 14 free with an adult.
Yes, but only a few pages are displayed at a time and rotated periodically. The Codex contains 1,119 pages of Leonardo's drawings and writings.
Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm, last entry at 5pm. Closed Mondays and major holidays including Easter and Christmas.
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Browse Our CollectionPlease note: Artwork locations and display status may change. Some paintings may be on loan, in restoration, or moved to different galleries within the museum. We recommend contacting Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Milan directly to confirm specific artwork availability before your visit.
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