Ambrosiana

THE COURTYARD OF THE GREAT SOULS
Intro

The “Courtyard of the Great Souls” has always been one of the places that most fascinate our visitors. For logistical reasons it is not possible to access it, but during the visit of the Pinacoteca you can admire it from above, from the loggias of the Galbiati wing.
We have therefore decided to start a new a series of videos dedicated to this fascinating place, so that you can appreciate it even more when you come back to visit us.
The courtyard was conceived by the prefect Giovanni Galbiati in 1932 and takes its name from verses 118-119 of canto IV of Hell, where Dante, in the limbo, is shown precisely the “great souls”, that is, the great poets, scientists and men of letters.
You can read Dante’s quote on the front wall of the courtyard, where you can also see what remains of a fresco by Aurelio Luini, son of the more famous Bernardino.
The prefect Galbiati wanted to gather here the statues of the “great spirits” of European culture, ancient and modern.
We find Plato, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Dante Alighieri, Alessandro Manzoni, Chateaubriand, Goethe, Shakespeare. Then there are Sandor Petöfi, a Hungarian writer, poet and national hero; Romanian intellectual Dimitrie Cantemir and Theophrastus Paracelsus, representative of Swiss culture.
Curious to know more about each of these characters? Keep following us, in the coming weeks we will present you one great soul at a time!

Music: In the distance | https://www.hooksounds.com

WHAT’S ON

EUROPEAN MUSEUM NIGHT 2025 - SPECIAL EVENING OPENING

Pinacoteca

EUROPEAN MUSEUM NIGHT 2025 - SPECIAL EVENING OPENING

From 18.00 to 19.30 entrance to the Pinacoteca and Crypt at the special price of €3.00

17/05/2025-17/05/2025
ART IN RESPECT - A DIALOGUE

Ambrosiana

ART IN RESPECT - A DIALOGUE

From May 15 to 27, the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana in Milan hosts Art in Respect – A dialogue, a solo exhibition by artist and couturier Filippo Sorcinelli.

15/05/2025-27/05/2025
Exhibition
MOTHER'S DAY

Ambrosiana

MOTHER'S DAY

To celebrate Mother's Day, on Sunday 11 May the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana is offering free admission to all mothers accompanied by their children.

11/05/2025-11/05/2025
MOTHER'S DAY CONCERT

Pinacoteca

MOTHER'S DAY CONCERT

11/05/2025-11/05/2025
Natura morta<br>Jago and Caravaggio: two views on the transience of life

Pinacoteca

JUBILEE 2025 – XVII CENTENARY OF THE COUNCIL OF NICAEA

Pinacoteca