Museums, galleries and places of art in the Ticinese district of Milan

The Basilica of Sant’Eustorgio and the Portinari Chapel in Milan

This area is an epic destination for art and history lovers, who might want to start with the most famous monument, the Basilica of Sant’Eustorgio. This building is a veritable treasure trove for connoisseurs and also houses the Portinari Chapel, a true Milanese Renaissance gem. The Chapel and the extensive early-Christian necropolis unearthed in the church basement are part of the Museum of Sant’Eustorgio, which also hosts a great number of attention-worthy pieces.

The Carlo Maria Martini Diocesan Museum and the Cloisters of Sant’Eustorgio in Milan

The interiors which once belonged to the Dominican monastery of Sant’Eustorgio now accommodate the Carlo Maria Martini Diocesan Museum (Museo Diocesano Carlo Maria Martini). Inaugurated in 2001, it was created to preserve, protect and showcase the vast collections of art in the keeping of the Ambrosian Diocese. The collection has been masterfully organised and staged, covering a period ranging from the second to the twenty-first century and overlooking the majestic Chiostri di Sant’Eustorgio, a series of ancient Dominican cloisters which were returned to the community in 2016 and now serve as a meeting place and cultural hotspot for events and art exhibitions.

The Sanctuary of Saint Mary of the Miracles at San Celso in Milan

Another important monument stands on Corso Italia near the Basilica of Sant’Eustorgio. Its name is the Sanctuary of Saint Mary of the Miracles (Santa Maria dei Miracoli) at San Celso and it is a true treasure trove of art and history. The rich historical heritage of this place is evident from the contrast between the majesty of the Renaissance building and the humble appearance of the ancient church of San Celso. Giovanni Antonio Amadeo and Cristoforo Solari are just two of the great architects who contributed to the construction of the sixteenth-century church at the time. Even the most distracted tourist cannot fail to be awestruck by the sheer beauty of its four-sided portico.

The Tommaso Calabro art gallery in Milan

The Tommaso Calabro gallery for contemporary art is a mere stone’s throw from Saint Mary of the Miracles, almost as if it were taking the neighbourhood’s artistic legacy a few steps further along the timeline. Inaugurated in 2018 and previously located in Piazza San Sepolcro, the gallery only moved to its new home in Corso Italia a few months ago. However, this gallery owner is no newcomer and, with a wealth of experience and international standing, his reputation precedes him. Prior to the move, he was busy opening another two new galleries: one in Venice and another one in his home town of Feltre.

The Bosoni art gallery in Milan

To wrap things up, there is another art gallery not far from the young Calabro gallery. This one goes back much further in time and has deep roots in the Ticinese area. Founded back in 1932, the Bosoni Gallery has always been run by the same family.

Today, you will bump into three different generations inside the art gallery. Over the years, not only have they had to adapt to the changes that this part of Milan has undergone, but also to shifting tastes and market variations. Back in the day, customers were mostly local, but then visitors started coming from the whole city and then from all over Italy. Nowadays, clients are almost entirely international and most sales are conducted online.

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