HangarBicocca, Contemporary art museum in Bicocca district, Milan, Italy
HangarBicocca is a contemporary art museum housed in a converted industrial building in Milan's Bicocca district. The former factory has been adapted into an exhibition space with soaring ceilings and open layouts designed to accommodate large-scale artistic installations.
The building originally served as a tire factory for Pirelli, one of Milan's major industrial employers. In the late 1990s it was repurposed and opened to the public as an art center in 2004.
The space honors its past as a Pirelli factory while serving as a venue for contemporary art, showing how industrial heritage can support modern creative expression. Visitors experience the connection between Milan's manufacturing history and today's artistic practice.
The museum is open Thursday through Sunday with no admission charge. It is easily accessible by metro lines M1 and M5, and the spacious layout makes it straightforward to navigate at your own pace.
One of the most striking permanent installations consists of several concrete towers that remain hidden from outside views until visitors step into the interior space. This concealed drama often surprises those unfamiliar with what awaits inside.
Location: Milan
Inception: 2004
Official opening: 2004
Website: https://pirellihangarbicocca.org
GPS coordinates: 45.52125,9.21934
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:41
Private art museums and galleries of international importance offer direct access to significant contemporary collections. These institutions, operated by foundations, collectors, or corporations, present works outside the traditional public museum landscape. Many of these venues occupy converted industrial buildings, historic residences, or purpose-built structures that connect art with architecture. The selection includes establishments such as Benesse Art Site Naoshima on the Japanese island of Naoshima, where museum buildings by Tadao Ando house works by contemporary artists. Dia:Beacon, north of New York City, displays minimalist and conceptual art in a former 1920s Nabisco factory. In Berlin, Sammlung Boros opens its doors in a converted World War II bunker. Additional examples include Fondation Beyeler in Basel with works of classical modernism, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art north of Copenhagen overlooking the Øresund strait, and Museo Jumex in Mexico City for Latin American contemporary art.
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.
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