• Art & Culture

Five Art Refuges in the City

We can reveal some of the finest, most beautiful spaces that perhaps you did not know about

from IN-LOMBARDIA.IT

Every city has its hidden spots, where the dynamic nature and the hustle of daily living makes way for tranquillity and artistic contemplation. 

Everything changes in the city, continuously evolving and transforming. We don’t often find the time to stop and look at everything around us; we don’t always give art the opportunity to guide us through moments of peace and contemplation.

Lombardy has plenty of places to showcase art, culture and history; spaces where you can rediscover the pleasure of beautiful things, immersing yourselves in the historic atmospheres of ancient palazzos and the prestige of cultural institutions that have preserved their elegance over time. 

In the province's five capitals we can reveal some of the finest, most beautiful spaces that perhaps you did not know about, and where you can spend some time reading, walking through loggias or enjoying a coffee in a frescoed room.

Discover some of the region’s hidden cultural treasures.

Rotonda della Besana, Milan
To the north east of Milan the Rotonda della Besana stands out in its urban setting. This is a singular late-baroque building, where art and religious tourism come together. This fascinating, charming monument takes its name from the church - now deconsecrated - inside the brick portico. There was once a chapel in the centre of the burial area used for the dead from the Ospedale Maggiore, later converted to a church in 1695 and surrounded by a portico.

Read more
Biblioteca Teresiana, Mantua
Mantua's cultural treasures include the Biblioteca Teresiana, a library and an enchanting surprise amidst the city’s precious historic and literary heritage. It is just a stone’s throw from Piazza Dante, in the heart of the city and was founded in 1780 at the wishes of Maria Theresa of Austria, to whom the two sumptuous rooms of the library are dedicated. The first floor is home to the Palazzo degli Studi, a former Jesuit College, converted as part of the programme of cultural secularisation and reform of institutions by the Austrian empress.

Read more
Teatro Grande, Brescia
An artistic and cultural institution of great prestige, the Teatro Grande is a traditional opera treasure, with charming rooms and surprises to reveal. It stands on the very site where, in 1664, Brescia’s first public theatre was built, with the modern-day auditorium, built in 1810, from designs by architect Luigi Canonica and decorated by Girolamo Magnani in 1862. The stage still has part of its 19th-century structure and the boards have been trodden by some of the greatest artists in Italian opera.

Read more
Palazzo Bottigella Gandini, Pavia
Hidden among Pavia’s historic buildings is Palazzo Bottigella-Gandini, restored and now a space for contemporary art exhibitions. Pavia is a city just waiting to be explored, where you can lose yourselves in its cobbled streets and breathe in the atmosphere of its historic buildings. Very close to the Piazza del Municipio, a stone’s throw from the sumptuous structures that house the City Council we come to a large gateway looking onto the splendid Renaissance courtyard.

Read more
Chiostro di Sant'Agostino, Bergamo
The recently restored Chiostro Minore, the smaller cloister of the former Monastery of Sant’Agostino provides a space for dialogue and meeting in an artistic and spiritual setting. Visiting Upper Bergamo is always a good idea when you want to experience an atmosphere suspended in time. The numerous places consecrated to culture include the former Monastery of Sant’Agostino is a space to discover, with plenty to fascinate and enchant the visitor.

Read more

On the same topic

Show all

Wonder and Pleasure between Milan and Varese

Villas, gardens and water features: a journey to homes built to surprise with their art, nature and wonders.
(Ph: in-lombardia I Mille)
  • Art & Culture

The Longobard heritage of Pavia

A journey of discovery to uncover the ancient civilisation of the Longobards through the history of the city of Pavia.
The Longobard heritage of Pavia
  • Art & Culture

A Day in Pavia

When organizing your trip to Lombardy do not forget to visit Pavia
  • Art & Culture

Literary suggestions in Lombardy

Wandering around the region, among places, cities and events that have inspired great authors
Literary suggestions in Lombardy
  • Art & Culture

Theatre: what’s on stage in Lombardy 

In Lombardy, theatres are opening up safely: here are some of the must-see shows and festivals
Teatro: chi è di scena in Lombardia
  • Art & Culture

Visit Villa Reale di Monza

A real journey through history from the Habsburgs to the Savoy.
Camera
  • Art & Culture

The Cloister of Voltorre

The monastic art of the Cloister of Voltorre
The monastic art of The Cloister of Voltorre
  • Art & Culture

Autumn trip to villas and castles

An autumn adventure of history & beauty: explore the autumn charm of Lombardy's villas and castles.
Villa Olmo (Como)
  • Art & Culture

Sondrio, the legend of Orlando

Castel Masegra is an imposing building which sits atop a 60m-tall rock, dominating the Sondrio skyline
Sondrio Castello Masegra
  • Art & Culture

Museums Monza

From the Treasure of the Cathedral to the MEMB, there are many museums where you can discover local history, art and culture
Monza musei
  • Art & Culture

Visiting Cremona is cheap!

Entry to all the town's museums with a combined cheap ticket
  • Art & Culture

Monuments in Lombardy

Cultural tourism and monuments in Lombardy
Monuments in Lombardy, suggestions
  • Art & Culture

6 Discovering Lombardy - virtual tour

Museums and castles to visit from your home
Palazzo Te (Mantova)
  • Art & Culture

Gentileschi: Rest on the Flight into Egypt

  • Art & Culture

Castles in Lombardy

The charm of Lombardy through its castles
Castles in Lombardy, Scenes from a Fairy Tale
  • Art & Culture

Legends, rituals, and goliardic traditions at the University of Pavia

L'Università di Pavia è una delle più antiche d'Italia, con origini che risalgono all'825
Università degli Studi di Pavia
  • Art & Culture

Cremona drone effect

Booked a weekend in Cremona? Then you can’t afford to miss piazza del Comune, the stunning heart of the city’s historic centre.
Cremona vista dall'alto
  • Art & Culture

Monuments Lodi

In the center of Lodi you can see buildings and monuments that are real architectural and decorative jewels
Monuments Lodi, ideas for visiting
  • Art & Culture

Castles Mantua

The Mincio marked for centuries the border of important possessions. The landscape was characterized by new castles in key places
www.mantovaducale.beniculturali.it
  • Art & Culture

What to Do in Mantua and surroundings

Discovering the wonders of Mantua and surroundings
What to do in Mantua
  • Art & Culture