Clerici Palace

Palazzo Clerici, located at via Clerici 5 in Milan, is one of the most refined and representative examples of Milanese Baroque architecture. Built in the 17th century on an ancient building belonging to the Visconti family, the palace was transformed in the 18th century by Marquis Anton Giorgio Clerici, who made it one of the most luxurious residences in the city. The Clerici family, originally from Como, became immensely wealthy through silk trade and usury lending, reaching the height of power with Giorgio Clerici, who obtained the title of Marquis of Cavenago. Upon his death, his nephew Anton Giorgio inherited one of the greatest fortunes of the time and initiated a series of restoration and decoration works involving renowned artists. The palace is especially known for the Tapestry Gallery, frescoed by Giambattista Tiepolo in 1741. This gallery, 22 meters long and just over 5 meters wide, is a Baroque masterpiece, with the ceiling decorated by the chariot of the Sun racing among the gods of Olympus, surrounded by Allegories of the four Continents and Allegories of the Arts. Tiepolo, with his mastery of trompe-l’œil, creates an illusion of depth and movement that gives the gallery extraordinary liveliness and brightness. The interior of the palace is a riot of stuccoes, frescoes, and tapestries, decorating a series of magnificently furnished rooms. The grand staircase, made of granite with a balustrade adorned with female statues in oriental attire, leads to the Ballroom, a representation room that was used for official receptions by the Clerici family at the time of its construction. This particularly high room features large windows and two music galleries, accessible via hidden stairs. Another notable room is the Hall of Mirrors, part of the representation apartments, distinguished by the presence of granite columns embedded in the walls, a sign of a pre-existing open loggia. The wooden furnishings, commissioned in 1755, are decorated with military trophies celebrating Marquis Anton Giorgio’s victories on the battlefield. Palazzo Clerici is not only an architectural gem but also a witness to the political and social history of Milan. From 1771 to 1778, the building hosted the Archdukes of Austria, Ferdinand of Habsburg-Lorraine and Maria Beatrice d’Este, who established their court there during the governorship of Milan. Subsequently, the palace passed into the hands of the Napoleonic and then Austrian government, eventually becoming the seat of the Court of Appeal of the Piedmontese after Italian unification. Since 1942, Palazzo Clerici has been home to the Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI), confirming its vocation as a venue for high-level meetings and discussions. Its history reflects the events and transformations of Milan over the centuries, making the palace a symbol of the city’s continuity and evolution.