Description
The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana guided tour takes 90 minutes in a gallery that sits quietly away from the busiest tourist routes. Cardinal Federico Borromeo founded it in the 17th century, and a licensed guide explains the stories and meanings behind the works in its historic rooms. The semi-private format means a small group, so explanations are easy to hear and the pace allows time to look. Headphones are provided when there are eight or more participants, and a private tour is available as an option.
Two masterpieces anchor the visit besides Leonardo:
- Raphael's preparatory cartoon for the School of Athens
- Caravaggio's Basket of Fruit, known for its realism
The centrepiece is the Sala Federiciana, where the Codex Atlanticus is kept: a collection of over one thousand original sheets by Leonardo da Vinci. Close up you can see sketches, anatomical studies and designs for flying machines, evidence of a mind moving between art and science. The ticket to the Pinacoteca is included, while tips, food and drinks and hotel transfers are not. The tour runs in English, Italian, Spanish, French and German.