Museo Diocesano Carlo Maria Martini

About the museum

The Museo Diocesano di Milano is housed in the cloisters of Sant'Eustorgio, one of the most important sites in the history of Ambrosian Christianity. The idea of a diocesan museum dates back to 1931, with the Blessed Ildefonso Schuster; in 1960 Cardinal Montini identified the cloisters of Sant'Eustorgio as the seat, and in the 1980s Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini began the reconstruction of the buildings, which had been badly damaged by bombing in the Second World War, entrusted to the Belgiojoso studio.

Since 1994 management has been entrusted to the Fondazione Sant'Ambrogio. The museum layout, designed in 1996 by the architect Antonio Piva, opened to the public in 2001, and in 2017 the museum was named after Cardinal Martini. The aim is to enhance the great artistic heritage of the Ambrosian diocese, both for its historical and artistic value and as evidence of a long history of faith and Christian beauty.

The permanent collection counts almost a thousand works, from the 2nd to the 21st century, which arrived as bequests, deposits or donations. The main groups include the Treasure of San Nazaro, the gold-ground paintings of the Crespi Collection, the archiepiscopal collections Monti, Pozzobonelli, Erba Odescalchi, Visconti and Riccardi, the Schubert Collection, the works of Lucio Fontana and the Presepe by Francesco Londonio. The collections are displayed along the three restored wings of the second cloister. The cloisters are part of a complex that also includes the Museo della Basilica di Sant'Eustorgio, the Cappella Portinari and the early Christian cemetery, with a shared ticket office.

Highlights

• Permanent collection of almost a thousand works from the 2nd to the 21st century
• Treasure of San Nazaro
• Gold-ground paintings from the Crespi Collection
• Works by Lucio Fontana
• Paper nativity scene by Francesco Londonio

Permanent exhibition

• Collezione permanente del Museo Diocesano – Almost a thousand works from the 2nd to the 21st century, displayed along the three wings of the second cloister, from the Treasure of San Nazaro to the gold-ground paintings and the archiepiscopal collections.

Founded

2001

Operated by

Fondazione Sant'Ambrogio

Director

Nadia Righi

Visitors per year

approx. 55,000

Admission & discounts

Online presale with an additional charge of €1. Free admission for children up to age 6, holders of the MY MUDIMI Card, accredited journalists, students of Cultural Heritage, Architecture, Design and the Accademia di Belle Arti, tourist guides, ICOM and AMEI members, holders of the Abbonamento Musei Lombardia, accompanying teachers (maximum 2 per group), priests, nuns, novices and seminarians. For children aged 6 to 18 with a Trenord IO VIAGGIO or PHONE PASS subscription, the ticket costs €4.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

All areas of the museum are accessible to people with mobility impairments. Readings in accessible language are available for works in the permanent collection. With the Bauadvisor Dogs&Museum service you can entrust your dog to a dog sitter during the visit (booking at least 24 hours in advance).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum offers educational services and a family ticket for two adults and up to four children.

Getting there & parking

Entrance from piazza Sant'Eustorgio 3; the address of the cloisters is also corso di Porta Ticinese 95.

Amenities & dining

In the summer months the In-Chiostro Bistrot (Corso di Porta Ticinese 95) is open in the museum's cloister.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Venue hire and events: location@museodiocesano.it.

Plan your visit