I Tesori della Ca' Granda

About the museum

The Ospedale Maggiore, today the Policlinico di Milano, was founded in 1456 by Duke Francesco Sforza, who donated a palace and a large area for the construction of the “Magna Domus Hospitalis”, known as the Ca' Granda. The hospital brought together in one large building the sick who had until then been housed in many smaller institutions, and offered free care to the poorest. From the outset it was supported by bequests and donations from citizens; in 1459 Pope Pius II instituted the Festa del Perdono (Feast of Forgiveness) to encourage them, which is still celebrated every other year.

Work on the building, begun by Filarete, was interrupted several times and resumed in the 17th century thanks to the donation of Giovan Pietro Carcano, under the direction of Francesco Maria Richini, who built the three-door entrance, the large courtyard, the church of the Beata Vergine Annunciata and the crypt beneath it. The complex was completed in 1805 thanks to the bequest of the notary Giuseppe Macchi.

The museum “I Tesori della Ca' Granda” displays the masterpieces of the Quadreria dei Benefattori (Gallery of Benefactors), a collection of donor portraits commissioned without interruption from 1602 to the present, with over 920 paintings by artists such as Giacomo Ceruti, Francesco Hayez, Giovanni Segantini, Mario Sironi and Carlo Carrà. The route also includes a medical section with historical surgical instruments and the crypt with the burial vault beneath the church, where the remains of around 150,000 people rest.

Highlights

• Quadreria dei Benefattori with portraits by Hayez, Segantini, Carrà and Sironi
• Over 920 paintings commissioned by the hospital from 1602 to the present
• Medical section with antique surgical instruments
• Crypt and burial vault beneath the church of the Beata Vergine Annunciata
• Free admission

Permanent exhibitions

• Quadreria dei Benefattori – Gallery of portraits of the hospital's benefactors, painted by Lombard artists from the 17th to the 20th century, including Hayez, Segantini, Carrà and Sironi.
• Sezione medica – Collection of antique surgical instruments illustrating the development of medical practice.
• Cripta e sepolcreto – Underground chamber beneath the church of the Beata Vergine Annunciata, used for burials of patients and now the subject of anthropological study.

Founded

1456

Operated by

Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico

Visitors per year

approx. 4,225

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free. Guided group visits are booked through Milanoguida.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• 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

The site declares the museum accessible. The main entrance has a staircase of 10 steps with a handrail; past the first door there is a second, fully accessible entrance leading to the gallery entrance on a level. For a short change in level of 5 steps a mobile ramp is available on request. Accessible lift/goods lift. Two parking spaces for people with disabilities in Piazza Santo Stefano.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The entrance is at via Francesco Sforza 28, in the Ca' Granda of the Ospedale Maggiore.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit