Palazzo Reale

Royal Palace has served as the seat of city government for centuries. Today it hosts a variety of high quality exhibitions and events.

Originally designed around two courtyards (then partially demolished to make room for the Duomo), Palazzo Reale is located on the right of the cathedral façade, facing to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Based on the shape of the old courtyard, the façade is recessed from the Cathedral Square. This recess is called Piazzetta Reale. On the main floor of the building there is the outstanding Sala delle Cariatidi (the caryatid hall)  in place of the old theatre destroyed by fire in 1776 – the only hall which survived the heavy bombing in 1943 (when the neoclassical interior went lost). The history of this Middle Ages palace and the town are inextricably bound together. Originally named Palazzo del Broletto Vecchio, it was the seat of the city government in the age of Communes (late Middles Ages). A political centre at the time of the Torriani, Visconti and Sforza families, it was restored after the construction of the cathedral, under Francesco Sforza, the Lord of Milan. Under the domination of the Habsburgs in mid 18th century, Palazzo Reale hosted some of the most lavish celebrations ever seen. Great artists and architects were invited to work there and took inspiration from the Teresian Baroque style. With neoclassical architect Piermarini’s refurbishment works from 1771 to 1778, the palace took a definite neoclassic style as it can be seen today. Since then it has hosted prominent rulers including Maria Teresa, Napoleon, Ferdinand I and the kings of the house of Savoy. In 1920 the palace became a state property and was returned to the townspeople. In 1943 the WWII bombing destroyed a part of the building. The first restoration took more than 20 years. Nowadays, in the beginning of the 21st century, Palazzo Reale is playing again a crucial role in the cultural and social life of the city . While works are still in progress to restore the palace to its original splendour, nevertheless, visitors can now admire the amazing halls in the Museum through an itinerary showing the four palace historical seasons: the Teresian & Neoclassical age, the Napoleonic period, the Restoration period and the Italian Unity. The original furniture was restored and rearranged in order to provide a comprehensive stylistic and historical glimpse into the royal lifestyle. First, the halls relating to the Neoclassical period (Piermarini to Napoleon) were open to the public. They beautifully show the magnificence of an “enlightened” age where Milan had an outstanding role in Europe. Recently the rooms of the 19th century “Appartamento di Riserva”,  intended for use of royal guests, have been open to the public too.