Museo Diocesano di Milano

The Diocesan Museum Carlo Maria Martini preserves the artistic heritage of the Archdiocese of Milan in the cloisters of Sant’Eustorgio. Its collection spans more than a thousand works, from early Christian art to contemporary works, and presents a broad history of sacred art in the Ambrosian tradition.

Why it matters

The museum brings together works associated with the religious and artistic history of the Archdiocese of Milan and the Ambrosian rite. Its collection includes early Christian sculpture, medieval painting, Lombard Renaissance works and modern art, reflecting the institution’s commitment to presenting sacred art across historical periods.

What to notice

The collection is arranged in thematic paths rather than a strictly chronological sequence. Early Christian and medieval sculpture, painted crosses, panel paintings and altarpieces from Lombard workshops appear alongside works by twentieth- and twenty-first-century artists. The cloisters of Sant’Eustorgio form the architectural setting for the collection.

Context and history

Named for Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, the museum was established to conserve and exhibit the artistic heritage of the Archdiocese of Milan. Its home is the cloisters of the Dominican complex at Sant’Eustorgio, beside the basilica. The permanent collection has grown through acquisitions, restoration and research to include works dating from the second to the twenty-first century. The institution is managed by Fondazione Sant’Ambrogio, the Archdiocese’s cultural foundation.