The Brera Gallery was officially established in 1809, even though a first heterogeneous collection with educational purpose existed already from 1776 – and then increased in the following years – alongside the Accademia di Belle Arti, requested by Mary Therese of Austria to offer the students the opportunity to study lofty masterpieces of art close up.
Brera become a museum to host the most important works of art from all of the areas conquered by the French armies. So unlike other important museums in Italy such as the Uffizi, Brera did not start out life as the private collection of a prince or nobleman but as the product of a deliberate policy decision. Paintings confiscated from churches and convents throughout Lombardy with the religious orders’ dissolution began to pour into the museum in the early years of the 19th century, soon to be joined by artworks of similar provenance from other areas of the Kingdom of Italy. This explains why the collection comprises chiefly religious works, many of them large altarpieces, and accounts for Brera’s special aura on which later acquisitions have had only a minor impact.
Vintage lovers!
The Planetarium of Milan, Civico Planetario "Ulrico Hoepli", is a building located at the entrance of Giardini di Porta Venezia. It's a beautiful structure designed by Piero Portaluppi and commissioned by the Italian-Swiss publisher Ulrico Hoepli.
Also the interior design is beautiful, there you can find a planetarium which projects and represents the image of the stars and their movements in the sky.
The Planetarium also has a library which is a section of the Museum of Natural History, near by.
They also organize educational activity concerning astronomy as talks, events and even concerts.
Gramm Cafè is a super lovely place, born just few months ago in the warmest part of Milan: Navigli. Great for sharing some moments with friends, tasting great quality cocktails in a stylish designed interior. One of the best drink is for sure "Prete Rosso"!
To really reach/understand a city you must live there or, at least, acting like you do. Nothing makes you feel more like a Milanese D.O.C. than stopping by Frida's on a Sunday morning to buy some flowers. Located in Brera this tiny shop has an extraordinary colour palette of flowers and plants. After that we just take a walk in the neighbourhood holding our bunch of Brassica Oleracea and our day is made.