Poldi Pezzoli Museum (Museo Poldi Pezzoli)

The Basics

At just 24 years old, Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli inherited his family’s fortune and their passion for collecting. He spent the remainder of his life treasure hunting his way through Europe, amassing an impressive collection of Renaissance paintings and other art and artifacts, and arranging them in his apartments by theme. Today, you can stroll the sumptuous palace to admire everything from ancient vases to lace—an eclectic hodgepodge of wonders that reflect the disparate tastes of the collector himself.

The Poldi Pezzoli Museum (Museo Poldi Pezzoli) is among the most important cultural highlights in Milan, so purchase tickets in advance to avoid the line at the ticket office. The museum is located a short walk from top attractions such as Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano) and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and a visit can easily be paired with a Milan walking tour.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Art aficionados will especially enjoy the museum, but with its wide range of quirky collections, there’s a bit of something for everyone here.

• A visit to the museum and tour of Milan’s highlights requires a significant amount of walking, so wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.

• The Museo Poldi Pezzoli is fully accessible to wheelchair users.

• Flash photography is not allowed inside the museum.

How to Get There

The Museo Poldi Pezzoli is located on Via Manzoni in Milan’s historic center, a short walk from the Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The nearest metro stop is the Duomo stop, on both the yellow and red lines.

When to Get There

Try to avoid visiting during the weekend, when the museum can be crowded. Better to visit on a weekday to enjoy its intimate rooms to yourself, but note that the museum is closed on Tuesday.

Collections in the Museo Poldi Pezzoli

The headliner at this house-museum is the clutch of Renaissance masterpieces by Botticelli, Bellini, Mantegna, and others, but there are thousands of objects grouped by theme to explore. Highlights include the armory, Fresco Room, Perugino Room, Murano Glass Room, Golden Room, and Black Room. Be sure to take a moment in the more obscure halls, however, for delightful surprises such as collections of clocks, lace, or jewelry.