 Palazzo Reale, Milan. Courtesy of Palazzo Reale Palazzo RealeWhen: Daily Where: Palazzo Reale Opening Hours: Mon 2.30pm-7.30pm, Tue & Wed & Fri-Sun 9.30am-7.30pm, Thu 9.30am-10.30pm Rating:  Despite on-going renovations, Palazzo Reale on Milan's main square exhibits contemporary art, photography, textiles and fashion in ornately gilded and decorated Neo-classical halls. Recent displays include Vivienne Westwood's fabulous designs and women painters from the Renaissance to Surrealism. Milan's Palazzo Reale is worth a visit to take in the Civil Museum of Contemporary Art (CIMAC) collection and the Sala delle Cariatidi, designed by architect Giuseppe Piermarini in 1771-1778.
Home to centuries of Milan's rulers, including the Visconti and the Sforza, as well as the Spanish and Austrian governors, the palace is built on the foundations of the city's original town hall, which date back to 1138. During the Second World War, it was badly bombed and the remaining hall has been left in its half-demolished state as a reminder of the tragedy of war. To wander an exhibition and chance upon this sight is quite an extraordinary experience.
The second floor of the palace is given over entirely to CIMAC. The collection includes works by Boccioni and the Futurists, Modigliani, Gino Rossi and Severini, as well as a host of works by other Italian artists of the inter-war period.
The acquisition of the Jucker collection has boosted the reputation of the gallery no end, since a number of eminent artists of the 20th century are also now represented, including Mondrian, Kandinsky, Picasso, Matisse, Klee, Sironi and Morandi.
Tourist OfficeMilan Tourist Information Office
Piazza Duomo 19/a (basement)
Phone: +39 02 7740 4343 (in UK +44 (0) 20 7408 1254)
Fax: +39 02 725 24 350
E-mail: , iat.info@provincia.milano.it
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