Martinitt and Stelline Museum

The Martinitt and Stelline Museum in Milan, inaugurated on January 19, 2009, is a unique cultural institution located at Corso Magenta 57. The museum is situated near the historic headquarters of the Stelline female orphanage and a short walk from important monuments such as the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci and the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. This museum offers visitors a deep immersion into the social and cultural history of Milan, told through the lives of the orphans of the Martinitt and Stelline, two of the oldest and most well-known welfare institutions in the city. The birth of the museum is linked to the desire of the Azienda di Servizi alla Persona Istituti Milanesi Martinitt e Stelline and Pio Albergo Trivulzio to preserve and enhance the vast archival and cultural heritage of the Martinitt, Stelline, and Pio Albergo Trivulzio orphanages. These institutions, founded respectively in the 16th and 18th centuries, played a fundamental role in the care and education of Milan’s orphans, significantly contributing to the formation of generations of citizens. The exhibition path of the Martinitt and Stelline Museum is characterized by multimedia and interactive installations, making historical documents, photographs, and other archival materials accessible to the public. Thanks to modern technologies, visitors can virtually browse historical records, participate in simulations of school lessons, explore the main leisure activities of the time, and understand the dynamics of the professional training of orphans, preparing them to enter the workforce in a context of increasing industrialization. One of the most fascinating aspects of the museum is the opportunity to get a close look at the daily life of the orphans. Through archival documents, one can follow the educational and formative path of the Martinitt and Stelline, from their entry into the institutions to their reintegration into society. This approach allows for a better understanding of the difficulties and opportunities these young people encountered, as well as the important role of benefactors who, through their bequests and donations, ensured the survival and efficiency of the orphanages. The museum also houses a gallery of portraits of benefactors who supported the institutions from the 16th century onwards. These portraits, displayed in a “gratulatory gallery,” offer a glimpse into Milanese philanthropy and its impact on society. Among the most well-known benefactors are figures such as publisher Angelo Rizzoli and bicycle manufacturer Edoardo Bianchi, both former Martinitt who, thanks to the education they received, were able to redeem themselves and succeed in the professional world. A significant project was the study on the memory of labor, which examined the working conditions of orphans from the 19th century to the 1970s. This study, based on archival sources and oral testimonies, led to the creation of two feature films documenting the life and work experiences of former Martinitt and Stelline. These films represent an important testimony to the contribution of these orphans to Milanese society and its economic and industrial development. From an architectural point of view, the museum is housed in a historic building that has been restored and adapted to accommodate modern exhibition installations. The museum spaces have been designed to offer an engaging and accessible experience for all, with particular attention to sustainability and inclusivity.