Past and present "starchitects"

The 52nd edition of Milano Design Week has just closed, but some events of the FuoriSalone 2013 continue. One of the most spectacular is Hybrid Architecture & Design, an exhibition held inside the courtyards and halls of the State University, the so-called Ca' Granda ("Big House").
Hybrid, which will close on April 21st, involves internationally acclaimed architects and designers, who have created site-specific works.
While visiting the exhibition, don't forget to look at the "container" sorrounding the installations. The ancient building, which today hosts the State University, is in fact the largest community hospital of the Renaissance. It was commissioned by the duke Francesco Sforza and designed by the "starchitect" of the time, Antonio Filarete (whose name is also connected with the Sforza Castle).
If you want to know all the secrets of the Ca' Granda, join our guided tour "The plague", every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurday at 9.30 am. No booking is required: just be at the meeting point in piazza Fontana, next to the fountain.
The building, which was heavily damaged during the Second World War, has been rebuilt so as to maintain its primitive structure, which reflects the innovations of Filarete. Centuries before "hygiene" became standard practice, the Florentine architect enriched his projects with amazing details that will surprise you.

Organ concerts... and more!

Duomo

Some of the finest churches in Milano will host a new series of organ concerts in April.
Admission is free to all venues.

Sunday 14th - 16:30 - S. Maria della Passione, via Conservatorio 16
organist: Maurizio Salerno; music by Bach, Buxtehude

Saturday 20th - 11:30 - Sant'Ambrogio, piazza Sant'Ambrogio
organist Maria Massimini; music by Faurè, Cantique de Jean Racine for choir and organ, op. 48; choir: Canticum '96

Sunday 21st - 17:00 - S. Simpliciano, piazza S. Simpliciano
organist: Gianluca Capuano; Victimae paschali laudes

Saturday 27th - 15:45 - Duomo
celebration of The Netherlands National Day and birthday of future king Willem Alexander

Sunday 28th - 17:00 - S. Maria Annunciata in Chiesa Rossa, via Montegani
organist: Lorenzo Ghielmi; music by Frescobaldi, Pasquini, Sammartini

On Saturday 20th, at 16:00, the Sala della Balla of the Sforza Castle , where the 12 magnificent Trivulzio tapestries are on display, will host a concert of Baroque musique. Admission is included in the ticket to the museum, which costs just 3 euros.

Free admission to the municipal museums

Ludovico il Moro (Piero della Francesca)

From April 7th to 14th, during the week of the Salone Internazionale del Mobile (Design Week), admission to all the municipal museums in Milan will be free.

The range of choices is wide, so here are our tips for your visit:
- spend some time in the Ansperto tower inside the Museo Archeologico, decorated with misterious XIV century frescoes.
- meet the first dinosaur found in Italy, nicknamed Ciro, at the Museo di Storia Naturale: one of the most important findings in the history of paleontology, since it still has traces of its liver and intestine.
- in the Sforza Castle, visit the rooms where Ludovico il Moro spent 15 days mourning his beloved wife, the beautiful Beatrice d'Este.
- discover Palazzo Morando and its collection of historical dress.
- enjoy the recently restored Acquario civico, housed in an elegant Art Nouveau building.
- admire the masterpieces of Galleria d’Arte Moderna and the magnificent rooms where they are on dispay. Don't forget to go for a stroll in the English landscape gardens of the museum.
- discover the history of Italy's struggle to conquer independence at the Museo del Risorgimento.