University of Milan, Ca' Granda headquarters, Renaissance university headquarters in central Milan, Italy
The Ca' Granda headquarters is the main campus of a public university in central Milan and contains several inner courtyards surrounded by arcaded walkways as well as lecture halls in historic wings. The complex occupies an entire city block between Via Festa del Perdono and neighboring streets.
Construction began in 1456 as a hospital following designs by architect Filarete and served medical care for over four centuries. After repurposing in the early 20th century, the university moved here in 1939.
The name Ca' Granda means "big house" and students still use this Milanese dialect term today when meeting in the inner courtyards or under the arcades between lectures.
Visitors can enter the main courtyards during opening hours and view the facades and cloisters. Some areas remain reserved for students and staff, so it helps to check which sections are accessible before visiting.
Water channels and drainage ditches from the 15th century still run beneath the courtyards and were originally built for sanitation and cooling. These underground structures show how engineers at that time already developed advanced solutions for hygiene and climate control.
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