ENENLeonardo Da Vinci enthusiasts should not miss the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana: it is here, in an ancient palace in the heart of Milan, that the famous Codex Atlanticus, the world's largest collection of drawings and autograph writings by the Florentine genius, has been kept since 1637: 1119 sheets that embrace Leonardo's intellectual life over a period of more than forty years - from 1478 to 1519 - dealing with the most diverse themes: from sketches and preparatory drawings for pictorial works to research in mathematics, astronomy and optics, from philosophical meditations to fables and gastronomic recipes, to curious and futuristic designs for contraptions such as hydraulic pumps, parachutes and war machines.
The work is displayed in the Federiciana room, dedicated to the founder of the library, Cardinal Federico Borromeo, who established it in 1607 - one of the first libraries in the world open to the public - by donating his collection of art and books.
Alongside the Atlantic Codex in the 24 rooms of the picture gallery, you can also admire numerous masterpieces from all times, starting with the Renaissance: Leonardo's Musician, Caravaggio's Basket of Fruit, Raphael's preparatory cartoon for the School of Athens, Titian's Adoration of the Magi, Botticelli's Madonna of the Pavilion and Jan Brueghel's splendid Flower Vases.
The 17th century is mainly represented by Morazzone and Nuvolone, the 18th century by Tiepolo and the 19th century by paintings by Hayez, Moses Bianchi and Longoni.
But that's not all. The Ambrosiana also seduces visitors with wonders and curiosities: from the gloves worn by Napoleon at Waterloo, ancient astrolabes, manuscripts by Petrarch and a display case containing a lock of Lucrezia Borgia's hair, which inspired poets such as D'Annunzio and Byron.
Piazza Pio XI, 2 - 20123 Milan
Telephone: 02-806921
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