The Villa Belgiojoso Bonaparte in Milan, Lombardy is also known as the Villa Reale and the Villa Comunale. It was originally built for Count Ludovico Barbiano di Belgiojoso in the 18th century and today is owned by the Comune of Milan and houses the Gallery of Modern Art. In addition to the architectural gem that is the palace and the wonderful gallery, the site also is home to a beautiful English garden. If you're thinking about a holiday in Milan and are looking for something to do that's a little off the beaten track and full of activities, this might just be the thing for you. Find a holiday rental in Milan and you've got a holiday halfway planned already!
Built in 1790- 1796 in the neoclassical style under Leopoldo Pollack, the palace is one of the finest examples of 18th century architecture in the city. The name “Villa Reale” (royal) came about after it was donated to Napoleon, who briefly lived there with Josephine. In 1815, the villa ended up in the possession of Austria who used it as a summer residence for the viceroy. Since 1920 it has been owned by the Comune of Milan and, in 1921, it became the home of the Gallery of Modern Art. The Villa Reale houses an important collection of 19th-century art. The collection grew from private donations from prominent families in Milan (inluding the Guasconi, Marchesi, Taverna and De Cristoforis families) and the estate left by prominent painter and sculptor Marino Marini.
A particularly iconic holding is the immense “Quarto Stato” (Fourth Estate), at the top of the grand staircase which was completed in 1901 by Pellizza da Volpedo. Another well-known work is a fresco by Andrea Appiani, of Parnassus, gathered with the Muses around the god Apollo. Other artists included in the collections are Canova, Rudolf Schadow, Gaspare Landi, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Gauguin and Manet. In 1951, another exhibition space for contemporary art was added to the complex called the Padiglione d'Arte Contemporanea.
The main entrance is on via Palestro, across from the Indro Montanelli Gardens. The garden was also designed by Pollack at the end of the eighteenth century. A small lake is at the centre and numerous small temples, statues of Apollo, Hercules and Tetide and the Tower of Conte Ugolino are dotted around, making it a veritable wonderland. A unique feature of the garden is that it is dedicated to children and people who want to enter must be accompanied by a child under twelve years old.
A visit to the Villa Reale offers a unique experience of this secret garden, stunning building and two wonderful collections, make sure you stop by on your next visit to Milan!
The main entrance is on via Palestro, across from the Indro Montanelli Gardens. The garden was also designed by Pollack at the end of the eighteenth century. A small lake is at the centre and numerous small temples, statues of Apollo, Hercules and Tetide and the Tower of Conte Ugolino are dotted around, making it a veritable wonderland. A unique feature of the garden is that it is dedicated to children and people who want to enter must be accompanied by a child under twelve years old.
A visit to the Villa Reale offers a unique experience of this secret garden, stunning building and two wonderful collections, make sure you stop by on your next visit to Milan!
