Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Conservation library in Milan, Italy
The Biblioteca Ambrosiana is a conservation library in Milan housed in a Baroque building. Its interior features high ceilings, extensive wooden bookshelves, and marble columns that span multiple floors.
A cardinal founded the institution in 1602 and sent representatives to Europe and the Middle East to gather manuscripts and books. This early collecting activity built the foundation for one of Europe's major manuscript collections.
The library holds manuscripts from different cultures and periods, including texts from the Benedictine monastery of Bobbio and the Pinelli collection. These diverse holdings show the founder's desire to gather knowledge from across the world.
Access is through scheduled appointments with the library's research department to view the reading rooms and manuscript collections. It is advisable to book in advance to ensure a smooth visit.
The building holds twelve Leonardo da Vinci manuscripts, including the Codex Atlanticus with his technical drawings and scientific observations. This collection reveals Leonardo's wide-ranging interests in art, science, and engineering.
Location: Milan
Inception: 1607
Founders: Federico Borromeo
Architects: Francesco Maria Richini, Fabio Mangone, Giacomo Moraglia
Architectural style: Italian Baroque architecture
Phone: +390280692
Email: info@ambrosiana.it
Website: http://ambrosiana.it
GPS coordinates: 45.46348,9.18579
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:01
European historic libraries and bookshops preserve written heritage accumulated over centuries. From Livraria Bertrand in Lisbon, founded in 1732 and still operating at the same location, to the Bodleian Library in Oxford, which has housed over 13 million works since 1602, these sites reflect the evolution and dissemination of books. Livraria Lello in Porto is notable for its curved wooden staircase and neo-Gothic woodwork from 1906, while Dominicanen Bookshop in Maastricht is housed in a converted 13th-century church. These spaces are distinguished by their architecture, from baroque to neo-Gothic, and by their function preserved across centuries. The Celsus Library in Izmir, built in 135 AD, used double walls to protect its 12,000 parchments from humidity. Hatchards in London has been operating since 1797 over five floors in Piccadilly, whereas Shakespeare and Company in Paris has maintained its English-language tradition since 1951 opposite Notre-Dame. These institutions offer visitors the chance to explore places where the history of the book is engraved in stone and wood.
Milan presents historical buildings, museums and squares. The Duomo displays Gothic architecture, while Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II houses retail stores. Teatro alla Scala stands as a notable opera house. Castello Sforzesco contains art collections. The city offers art galleries, parks, historical churches and modern architecture.
Milan offers photography locations for all skill levels. The selection includes Milan Cathedral, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Sforza Castle and modern structures like Bosco Verticale. Historic districts like Navigli and Brera present additional photo opportunities.
Pinacoteca Ambrosiana
25 m
San Sepolcro Church
46 m
Foro romano di Milano
24 m
Loggia degli Osii
180 m
San Sebastiano
142 m
Palazzo delle Poste
166 m
Palazzo delle Scuole Palatine
195 m
Casa Panigarola
187 m
Palazzo della Banca d'Italia
75 m
Zecca di Mediolanum
30 m
Casa Ferrario
112 m
Palazzo dell'Ambrosiana
10 m
Palazzo Castani
99 m
Palazzo del Banco di Roma
139 m
Santa Maria Beltrade Old Church
122 m
Casa dei Grifi
154 m
Casa dei Missaglia
93 m
Casa Vanoni
102 m
Palazzo Marietti
137 m
Monument to Federico Borromeo
54 m
Casa Buzzoni
134 m
Casa Giovini
92 m
Casa Crotti
51 m
Casa dell'Unione Cooperativa
143 m
Broletto well
192 m
Targa a Giuseppe Parini
181 m
Palazzo della Società lombarda per le Imprese Fondiarie
112 m
Palazzo della Posta centrale
127 mReviews
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