Rules
Founded by Cardinal Federico Borromeo in 1618 thanks to the donation of his private collection, the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana is an integral part of the institution Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana, governed by the College of Doctors presided over by the Prefect. According to the Founder’s intention, the Pinacoteca was to serve as a support and model for the formation and education of aesthetic taste, in conformity with the canons of the Council of Trent.
Today, the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana is a permanent museum of significant national and international interest, non-profit, open to the public, and serving society and its cultural development. Together with the Cripta di San Sepolcro, also managed by the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana, it contributes to the preservation, management, and promotion of an extraordinary historical, artistic, and spiritual heritage.
Its general, public, and institutional purposes are the preservation, management, and promotion of its heritage, including all collections and cultural assets, exhibited and not exhibited, movable and immovable. The Director of the Pinacoteca is appointed by the College of Doctors and, assisted by the same body, is responsible for guiding, planning, and coordinating scientific activities, as well as drafting the biennial or triennial activity plan.
READ THE REGULATIONS OF THE PINACOTECA AND THE CRYPT
READ THE STATUTE OF THE VENERANDA BIBLIOTECA AMBROSIANA
FAQ
During the visit
Visitors are kindly requested to keep their voices low.
Dress code appropriate to the official nature of the museum and respectful of the ecclesiastical nature of the Institution is required.
Mobile phones must be set to silent mode, and phone conversations are not permitted inside the exhibition spaces.
Smoking is strictly forbidden (this includes electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco devices).
Due to the numerous changes in level along the exhibition route and the uneven flooring of the Crypt, low, comfortable shoes are recommended.
Visitors under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult. The Institution assumes no responsibility for any damage to persons or property resulting from failure to comply with these Regulations.
The surveillance staff of the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana (hereinafter “VBA”) are identified by their badges and are available to provide information about the museum’s route and services. If necessary, staff are authorized to intervene and even remove anyone whose behavior endangers the safety of the artworks or other visitors.
Heritage security
Inside the VBA, touching, damaging, or otherwise damaging the artworks is strictly prohibited.
It is also forbidden to lean on the sculpture bases and walls, run within the museum, or use trekking poles, which must be deposited in the cloakroom.
To ensure the safety of visitors and the preservation of the entire artistic heritage, the VBA is equipped with an advanced alarm and video surveillance system.
The installation and use of cameras is in compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 GDPR and the principle of data minimization, limiting image collection to what is strictly necessary for security purposes.
The images collected are relevant and not excessive with respect to the intended purposes and are retained for a limited period, in any case no longer than a few days, unless further retention is required in the event of specific requests from judicial authorities or investigations into illegal activities.
Do I need to book tickets?
Booking is not mandatory, but recommended. Reservations can be made on the official website at this link. By booking, visitors can skip the line at the ticket office and enter directly.
Each ticket allows one single entry and must be kept throughout the visit (in paper or electronic format). It is not possible to enter the museum with a ticket that has already been used.
Access with “Abbonamento Musei” cards and free tickets (except those for children under 6, visitors with disabilities, and their companion) must be requested at the ticket office, upon presentation of the relevant documentation.
The use of earphones is not required during your visit, but is strongly recommended.
The use of laser pointers is prohibited.
How long does the visit to the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana and the Crypt of San Sepolcro take?
A self-guided visit of the Pinacoteca takes about 90 minutes; the Crypt visit takes about 30 minutes.
There is no time limit, provided visits are completed within opening hours. It is not possible to enter the museum with a ticket that has already been used.
Is there a cloakroom?
Umbrellas must be left in the designated umbrella stands at the entrance (unattended).
Can I bring food or drinks into the museum or Crypt?
Consuming food or drinks is not allowed in any museum area, including exhibition halls and outdoor spaces. Bringing liquids inside is prohibited.
Is the museum accessible for people with disabilities or families with strollers?
Accessibility to the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana
The tour extends over three floors (ground, first, and second floors).
People with mobility disabilities can visit the rooms on the ground and first floors (rooms 1 to 7) thanks to elevators and wheelchair lifts. Security staff are available to assist visitors with using the lifts and transferring between floors.
The Pinacoteca provides a wheelchair with assisted propulsion. To use it, please submit a request at least 48 hours in advance to contatti@ambrosiana.it.
The Pinacoteca is happy to welcome visitors with strollers. For a more comfortable visit, we recommend depositing them at the ticket office. If this is not possible, visitors can visit the ground and first floors (rooms 1 to 7). Carrying a stroller up and down the stairs is prohibited.
Due to the presence of stairs and changes in level along the tour route, we recommend wearing comfortable shoes and avoiding high heels.
Accessibility to the Crypt of San Sepolcro
The Crypt of San Sepolcro is not accessible to visitors with mobility disabilities for structural reasons, due to the presence of steep stairs and uneven flooring. Therefore, comfortable shoes are strongly recommended; high heels are absolutely to avoid.
Can I take photos or videos inside the museum?
Visitors may take amateur photos with phones or tablets, without flash, tripods, monopods, or selfie sticks. Photos or videos of artworks may only be kept for strictly personal use, with an absolute ban on sharing with third parties, especially for commercial purposes. For any type of transfer to third parties, especially commercial, prior written authorization must be obtained from MONDADORI PORTFOLIO (ambrosiana@mondadoriportfolio.it), the exclusive holder of the rights for diffusion of images and videos. Any violation will be prosecuted under the law. More information is available here: IMAGE REQUEST.
Professional photography or filming requires prior written authorization at: contatti@ambrosiana.it
For press use, please contact: press@ambrosiana.it
Are dogs allowed?
Pursuant to Law No. 376 of August 25, 1988, only guide dogs for blind or visually impaired persons and animals used in therapeutic or assistance support activities are permitted, subject to presentation of an appropriate medical prescription. In both cases, the animals must be clearly identifiable.
Are audioguides available?
Yes, audioguides can be purchased as a web app online and used on your own device, or rented at the ticket office.
Available languages: Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Chinese.
Can I visit with a group?
Yes, groups are allowed up to a maximum of 25 participants and with prior reservation (contacts here). The use of headphones is not mandatory but strongly recommended.
Laser pointers are strictly prohibited.
Is there a bookshop?
How can I know if a work is on loan or under restoration?
You can check the list of temporarily unavailable works here. We recommend checking the list before the visit.
Which public transport reaches the museum?
The museum can be reached:
By metro: the closest stops are Cordusio or Duomo on the M1 (red) line and Duomo on the M3 (yellow) line.
By tram: lines 12, 14, and 16, Orefici/Cantù stop, or lines 2 and 3, Duomo stop.
The museum is easily accessible on foot from all these stops.
From the train stations:
From Milano Centrale, take the M3 line towards San Donato, get off at Duomo (5 stops);
From Milano Cadorna, take the M1 line towards Sesto San Giovanni, get off at Cordusio – Biblioteca Ambrosiana (2 stops);
From Cadorna, the museum is also accessible on foot, a 20-minute walk through the center of Milan.
Can I rent the museum spaces for events?
Yes, information and brochures on event spaces can be found here.
Is the Biblioteca Ambrosiana visitable?
The current reading room of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana is accessible by reservation only to scholars consulting the Library’s collections. It is not open for studying personal texts. Visitors of the Pinacoteca can admire the reading room from above during their visit.
The Sala Federiciana, the historic 17th-century reading room, is included in the exhibition route of the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana and hosts rotating displays of drawings from Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Atlanticus.
Is there air conditioning?
Refunds
Complaints
Visitors may send requests for information, suggestions, reports, proposals, or complaints to: contatti@ambrosiana.it
Liability
Communication
All communications disseminated by the Institution via the official website have official value and must be respected in accordance with the Regulations.