Brera Art Gallery in Milan

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If not the most prized, Pincoteca Brera is certainly one of the most prized art galleries in Milan. There is a prevalence of big format paintings and religious motives among which you will discover well -known works of: Hayz, Caravaggio, Raffaello, Boccioni, Pellizza da Volpedo, Modigliani, etc.

The Brera Art Gallery was founded in the 1776 along with the foundation of Fine Arts Academy under the patronage of Maria Theresa of Austria. Its goal was to assist the education of students.
When Milan became the capital of the Kingdom of Italy under Napoleon, the collection became a museum that exhibited the most import art pieces gathered from the territories conquered by the French troops.
During the 19^th century the collection was enlarged by the vast number of paintings gathered from the churches and convents in Lombardy and others gathered from the whole Kingdom of Italy. This explains the prevalence of religious motives of the paintings and their great size.

Ticket prices for the Brera Art Gallery in Milan
Regular ticket price is: 10 Euros (€).
Reduced ticket price is: 7 Euros (€).
FREE ENTRANCE- individuals younger than 18, older than 65 (applies for citizens of the European Union, Island, Norway, Switzerland, Lichtenstein), disabled individuals and their assistants.
Reduced price- for the individuals from 18-25 (applies for citizens of the European Union, Island, Norway, Switzerland, Lichtenstein)
(!) The price listed is only for Pincoteca or their permanent exhibition. From time to time, the gallery hosts visiting exhibitions which will cost extra.

Working Hours of the Brera Art Gallery in Milan
From Tuesday to Sunday working hours are: 8:30-19:15h (ticket office closes at 18:40h)
Closed- all Mondays, 1^st January, 1^st May, 25^th December.

Interesting facts

The Brera Art Gallery was not founded like most other museums which grew from the private collections of individuals or aristocrats, since it exhibited the paintings that were taken from the conquered territories.
In the courtyard of the Brera building there is a statue of Napoleon dressed like Mars, the peacemaker ( Marte pacificatore). It is a bronze copy of the original that is exhibited in the Apsley House, London. This statue has been on its present location since 1859.