Collections of the Ospedale Maggiore

The Collections of the Ospedale Maggiore is a museum of medical history housed in the Ca' Granda, the main building of Milan University, displaying instruments, artworks, and historical documents. The complex shows how medical practice and artistic creation were intertwined across centuries.

Duke Francesco Sforza founded this institution in 1456 to provide healthcare and it became a center of medical learning in Milan. Over centuries, extensive knowledge and materials documenting medical progress accumulated within its walls.

The collections show how healing practices and art were connected, revealing how medical work shaped what people created over time. Walking through the rooms, you notice how doctors and artists influenced each other's work in this building.

The building is accessible to wheelchair users and operates with regular opening hours for visits. Plan to spend enough time exploring the different rooms and collections, as the museum holds a considerable amount of material to view.

The collection holds an ancient Egyptian papyrus known as the Book of Elena, containing texts about the journey of souls after death. This rare artifact brings together medical knowledge with ancient beliefs about existence beyond life.

Location: Milan

Inception: 1456

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Address: Via Francesco Sforza 28, 20122 Milano

Website: https://policlinico.mi.it/beniculturali/visita

GPS coordinates: 45.46001,9.19532

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:43