Sormani Palace

Palazzo Sormani, located on Corso di Porta Vittoria in Milan, is a significant example of Baroque and Neoclassical architecture. Its history begins in the 16th century, when a small building was constructed for the Imperial general Giambattista Castaldo, famous for his participation in the battles of Pavia and the sack of Rome in 1527. The building then passed to the Medici di Marignano family through marriage, thus coming into the possession of one of the most influential families in Milan, linked to prominent figures such as Giovanni Angelo Medici, known as Pope Pius IV. In the 17th century, the palace was purchased by Cardinal Cesare Monti, who commissioned architect Francesco Maria Richini to make a series of expansions and embellishments. Richini designed the central courtyard, characterized by an elegant portico with five arches and a grand staircase leading to the main floor. This majestic space was meant to impress visitors with its grandeur and classical lines inspired by Roman architecture. Upon the cardinal’s death, the palace passed to his nephew Cesare Monti-Stampa, who commissioned Francesco Croce to design a new facade on Largo Augusto. This facade, in Baroque style, features a protruding central body with Corinthian pilasters in stone, alternating curved pediments, and windows adorned with stucco. Croce’s addition gave the building an even more monumental appearance rich in decorative details. In the 18th century, Palazzo Sormani underwent further transformations. The second facade facing the garden was designed by architect Benedetto Alfieri. This facade is characterized by large giant composite order pilasters that give momentum and verticality to the building. The stuccoes and statues by Elia Vincenzo Buzzi, along with the large clock by the Sangiusti brothers, further decorate this part of the palace, creating an interesting contrast with the more extravagant street facade. In 1783, the palace was sold to Count Giovanni Pietro Paolo Andreani, related to the Sormani family through marriage. The Andreani family enriched the interiors with stuccoes by Giocondo Albertolli and Agostino Gerli, introducing elements of French Neoclassicism. A distinctive feature of the palace is the series of 23 paintings depicting the myth of Orpheus, attributed to a Northern artist and initially considered works by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, known as Grechetto. These paintings decorate the Grechetto Room, one of the most evocative spaces in the palace. In the 19th century, the palace passed to the Verri family, who brought with them more artworks, including the Sforza medallions and animal paintings by Grechetto. These additions further enriched the artistic heritage of the palace, making it one of Milan’s cultural landmarks. During World War II, Palazzo Sormani suffered severe damage from bombings, which destroyed part of the interiors and decorations. After the war, the building was restored by architect Arrigo Arrighetti, who maintained respect for the history and memory of the place while adapting it to new needs. In 1956, the palace was chosen as the seat of the Central Municipal Library of Milan, transforming into an important cultural center. The palace’s garden, designed by Leopoldo Pollack in the 18th century, was enriched in 1955 with a complex of statues by Agenore Fabbri, representing scenes of wild boar hunting. This English-style green space offers an oasis of tranquility in the heart of the city and completes the architectural harmony of the complex. Today, Palazzo Sormani is one of the main locations of Milan’s library system. The library houses a vast collection of books and manuscripts, offering study and research spaces open to the public. The restored rooms of the palace continue to testify to the richness of its artistic and architectural history, keeping alive the memory of the families who lived there and the artists who decorated it.