Great Attractions in Downtown (Milan)

Palazzo dei Giureconsulti

This ancient medieval building, that once housed municipal offices and legal institutions, was rebuilt from 1562 on as 'Palazzo dei Giureconsulti' to a design by Vincenzo Seregni. The building, formed by a loggia and a tower, a 16th-century sheath built around the original 13th-century construction, is based on the architecture of Galeazzo Alessi. The complete design included an overall refurbishment of the ancient Piazza Mercanti to create a new forum, and this was partially executed with the construction, on the south side of the piazza, of the 'Scuole Palatine' building. In the 19th century, the street named Via Mercanti was opened up, totally modifying the original concept and rendering it totally unrecognizable.

Casa degli Omenoni

Built by the sculptor, Leone Leoni between 1562 and 1566 as his Milan residence, this building is famous above all for it's façade, which has eight telamons sculpted in solid stone. The rest of the decoration is highly ornamental and reflects the cultured style of its architect.

Palazzo Sormani Andreani

Cesare Monti, a descendant of the like-named cardinal, entrusted Francesco Croce the task of refurbishing the building that he owned. The design of the façade reflects the trapezoidal shape of the plot. The central volume, surmounted by a curving gable, is linked to the wings by two lateral terraces: the frames of the windows on the ground floor are echoed on the floor above by the design of the spaces above the windows. Inside, the courtyard has porticoes on two sides: the interior façade, facing the garden, was designed in 1756 by Benedetto Altieri along classical lines. Feature of interest: On the first floor, the 'Grecchetto' room includes frescoes on the legend of Orpheus by painter giovan Battista Castiglione. Today it houses the Municipal Library.

Palazzo Serbelloni

The building, dating to around 1770, was created by architect Simone Cantoni. The design heightens the monumental character of the central part, with a three-floor façade. Opposite the entrance, a helical staircase leads to the first floor, that has been refurbished and in part restored, with a Neoclassical hall by Traballesi. In 1796 it was used for three months by Napoleon and Josephine during their sojourn in Milan. Today it is in part residential, and in part used by a number of associations.

Palazzo Arcivescovile

The Archbishop's palace was designed, in its present forms, by Pellegrini, from 1565 on, commissioned by Carlo Borromeo. The central nucleus of the building is the inner courtyard, onto which opened the homes of the cathedral's clerics. Characterized by the disciplined style of 16th century Lombard architecture, it represents one of the examples that was most often imitated in the 17th century as a model of monumental courtyards. Pellegrini also designed the two portals opening onto Via Arcivescovado and Via delle Ore, while the monumental façade facing Piazza Fontana was built by Piermarini in the last decades of the 18th century. The complex also includes the decagonal stable building, one of the most sophisticated and complex 16th century buildings.

Palazzo Erba Odescalchi

Created by the incorporation of several preceding buildings, its present 16th-century appearance was commissioned by the Cusani family: ownership successively passed to the Erba Odescalchi family. The complex, in part incoherent, architecture is based on two successive courtyards with a garden. The decorative elements are particularly interesting, a fine balance between tradition and innovation.

Seminario Arcivescovile

Commissioned by Carlo Borromeo in 1564, construction of the Seminary was begun by Seregni and Pellegrini in the 16th century, and was finished by Aurelio Trezzi and Fabio Mangone, under the direction of Cardinal Federico Borromeo in the early years of the 17th century. The austere, disciplined style, based on rigorously classical canons, represents the architectural expression of the rulings of the Council of Trent. The façade, of which just the highly theatrical portal remains, was built to a design by Francesco Maria Richini in 1635.

Palazzo del Capitano di Giustizia

Also known as the 'Carceri nuovi', new prisons, it started functioning in 1578. With a rectangular plan, it is based on two courtyards with four small towers at the corners. The first courtyard still conserves the Doric columns and a loggia. The severe architecture recalls the function for which the building was designed, and the ashlar work gives the structure a particularly monumental character. It was restored in 1943 and today it houses the headquarters of the Municipal police force.

Collegio Elvetico

Designed in 1608 by Fabio Mangone, and commissioned by Federico Borromeo, this college was destined for the training of the Swiss clergy. Its monumental architecture revolves around the two courtyards cadenced by double columns. The façade is superb in a semicircular arrangement, by Franco Maria Richini, providing a link between the street front and the axis of the interior courtyards. Today the building houses Milan's State Archives. Feature of interest: There is a copy of a statue by Picasso on the small piazza in front of the façade.

Palazzo Cusani

The earliest documents regarding this building date to the late 16th century: in the early years of the following century, cardinal Agostino Cusani refurbished it to give it greater prestige. Its central plan is developed around a rectangular courtyard with porticoes on two sides and granite columns. The façade facing Via Brera, dating to 1717 and by Giovanni Ruggeri, has two portals and a remarkably decorative architectural structure. Towards the rear, the building was finished by Giuseppe Piermarini in 1790, and it still conserves original interiors and stucco-work.

Palazzo Durini

Situated at the heart of historic Milan, this building was designed by Francesco Maria Richini in 1644, to a commission by Giovan Battista Durini, and completed in 1645. The speed in the building of the palazzo, and the richness of the decorations, indicates the notable financial power of this rich family of merchants. The building is based on two courtyards, the first the formal court with columns and round arches, and the second for service quarters. The façade is bordered by ashlar-work and by a projecting cornice.

Palazzo Clerici

Built in the early 18th century for Giorgio Antonio Clerici, an important figure in the diplomatic corps of the Spanish government, this extension of the previous building can be attributed, at least in part, to Francesco Croce. The characteristic feature of this palazzo is the notable difference between the decoration of the façade, with its asymmetric prospect and that of the interior. Inside, a courtyard with a portico on the entrance side and that opposite leads to another, smaller courtyard. On the right, the three-flight monumental staircase, with vault frescoed by Bortoloni, leads up to the first floor with the famous ‘tapestries gallery' frescoed by Gian Battista Tiepolo. It was used as the residence of the Archduke's family from 1773 to 1778. Today the building is the seat of the Superintendency of the Environmental and Architectural Heritage of Lombardy.