03 Feb The historicals libraries in Milan

Milan is one of the most innovative cities, but it is especially a city rich in history and culture. For this reason we want to talk about the historical libraries in the city, real jewels that own the origins of our knowledge. Let’s see them together!

Biblioteca Capitolare

The Biblioteca Capitolare is in Palazzo dei Canonici and, despite the lack of official documents that can prove that fact, is one of the most ancient libraries in Milan: some of its texts date back to the VIII Century after Christ.

This library owns a rich cultural heritage, characterized by some manuscripts of high value. Next to the library’s archive there is the Archivio del Capitolo Metropolitano, declared of high historic interest as well.

Biblioteca Ambrosiana

The Biblioteca Ambrosiana was founded in 1607 by the will of the archibishop Federico Borromeo, who was interested in science and art: it was one of the first libraries open to the public reading. The library was called Ambrosiana by its founder, in order to honor the Saint protector of the city of Milan, Ambrogio.

Due to the richness of the collections and the value of its texts, this is one of the most important libraries in Italy and in the world. The Ambrosiana was attended by illustrious Scholars and Prefects, such as Giuseppe Ripamonti and Achille Ratti, who became pope with the name of Pio XI.

Biblioteca Centrale Comunale

The Biblioteca Centrale Comunale, also known as Biblioteca Comunale Sormani due to the palace in which it’s based, has more than a million of volumes, that cover all the fields of knowledge, from human science to liberal juridical arts.

This library is situated in Corso di Porta Vittoria, in the historic Palazzo Sormani, that was built on an already existing building of the XVI Century.

Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense

The Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense is one of the Italian biggest libraries and was founded by the empress Maria Teresa d’Austria in 1770, because she believed that the Ambrosiana Library was too poor in printed books.

The library opened for the first time to the public in 1786 at Palazzo del Collegio Gesuitico di Brera, an impressive building fabricated by the Jesuits in the XVII Century, which is also the location of the Pinacoteca di Brera.

Biblioteca delle Belle Arti di Brera

The Biblioteca delle Belle Arti di Brera was founded in 1778, when the secretary  Carlo Bianconi began to collect books, printings and drawings in his office. This habit was kept by his successor Giuseppe Bossi, who understood the importance of conserving the books in a library.

The current library locations were inaugurated by the president Sandro Pertini in 1984.

These are some of the most important libraries of the city. You only have to come and visit them in person and we’ll be pleased to welcome you at Hotel Cavour, in order to make your stay in Milan even more pleasant