Does Milan shut down in August? This question is less obvious than it might seem! While planning a trip to Milan it is important to note that some museums, shops and cultural activities are closed in August or, at least, during the “Ferragosto” week (around 14, 15, 16 August) period in which the Feast of the Assumption occurs. Ferragosto is considered the core of summer, a mix of a religious and a cultural celebration in which Italians stop working to go on a short trip, party or simply relax. August for Milanese is typically the month for holidays, especially on its two central weeks, but there are no fixed rules on summer closures; this means that every shop owner or museum may decide independently the opening days and hours of their activities. Don’t panic, as trends are quickly changing from year to year, your trip to Milan might not be affected at all by the closures as the majority of Milan’s museums will remain open all-August long.
Here’s a list of the open museums:
1. Sforza Castle and its museums
The Drawings Study, the Archeological and the Numismatic Libraries are closed from 3 to 28 August. All the Castle and the other museums are open Tue-Sun 9am-7.30pm. Thurs 9am-10pm. Closed on Monday.
2. Palazzo Reale
The museum hosts two exhibitions: “Il Principe dei Sogni, Giuseppe negli Arazzi Medicei di Pontormo e Bronzino“ and “Nature and Myth. From Greece to Pompei” and is open Mon 2.30pm-7.30pm; Tue-Sun 9.30am-7.30pm; Thurs-Sat 9.30am-10.30pm.
3. PAC-Contemporary Art Pavilion
The museum hosts the Jing Shen exhibition and is open Tue-Sun 9.30am-7.30pm; Thurs 9.30am-10.30pm. Closed on Mon.
4. MUBA- Children Museum
Open Tue-Fri 9.30am-6.30pm; Sat-Sun 10am-7pm. For the events check the official website
5. Museo del Novecento
Open Mon 2.30pm-7.30pm; Tue-Sun 9.30am-7.30pm; Thurs-Sat 9.30am-10.30pm.
6. Modern Art Gallery- Galleria d’Arte Moderna (GAM)
The exhibition Don’t Shoot the Painter is on in August (until October).
Open Tue-Sun 9am-7.30pm. Thurs 9am-10.30pm. Closed on Mon.
7. Archeological Museum- Museo Archeologico
Open Tue-Sun 9am-5.30pm. Closed on Mon.
8. Risorgimento Museum- Palazzo Moriggia
Open Tue-Sun 9am-1pm, 2pm-7.30pm
9.Palazzo Morando
Open Tue-Sun 9am-1pm, 2pm-7.30pm
10. Francesco Messina Study Museum
Open Tue-Sun 9am-7.30pm. Closed on Monday.
11. Aquarium
The exhibition Leonardo’s Studies on Water (in Italian Leonardo e l’Acqua) is on. Open Tue-Sun 9am-7.30pm. Closed on Monday.
12. Natural History Museum- Museo di Scienza Naturale
Open Tue-Sun 9am-7.30pm. Closed on Monday.
13. Cultures Museum (MUDEC)
Until 30 August the exhibition Africa is on. Open Mon 2.30pm-7.30pm; Tue-Sun 9.30am-7.30pm; Thurs-Sat 9.30am-10.30pm.
14. Fabbrica del Vapore
The Alma Mater installation is on until the end of the month. Open daily 10am-8pm.
15. UniCredit Pavilion
The newly inaugurated UniCredit Pavilion is open all August long. Open daily 10am-8pm.
[Photo Credits: Epeverata Photography]
