The Triennale is Italy's and Milano's foremost institution for design and culture: the city is seen as the flagship of Italian design, with its renowned international Furniture Fair.

The Triennale is located inside the Bernocchi Palazzo dell’Arte, on the southern side of Parco Sempione, and was designed by the architect Giovanni Muzio. Along with Castello Sforzesco,  Arena Civica and Arco della Pace, this building completed the monumental circumference of the Castello's ancient parade ground, transformed into a public park in the late-nineteenth century.

Closed in the seventies, and then reopened after restoration works in 1993, it now houses the Triennale Foundation and the Design Museum with its collection of over 1600 design objects. Since its inception in 2007 it has been ranked as one of the largest design museums in Europe and, fittingly, the linear and pared-back interior enables the visitor to focus on the artworks. Organized in chronological order, the exhibition also offers various insights into the political, cultural and social context in which the works were conceived.

Nowadays, it is an international reference point, a permanent tribute to the Italian design tradition promoting research and exhibitions in the fields of architecture, urban planning, decorative and visual arts, design, craftsmanship, industrial production, fashion and audiovisual communication.

Since 2011 it has also hosted the Teatro dell’Arte, one of the most significant Milanese platforms for cultural projects and performing arts. Last but by no means least, it houses a Library that is an immense documentary legacy on the evolution of twentieth-century creative thought with more than 400 volumes, over 20,000 books and a precious collection of International Expo catalogues and written records of the Conferences held at the Milan Triennials and the Monza Biennials.

From design to architecture, art, philosophy, aesthetics, and communication to fashion, the Library is continuously updated and can also be consulted online with prior authorisation.

TRIENNALE TIPS

Visit Triennale di Milano on weekends to take advantage of guided tours held by the in-house cultural staff. The Foundation benefits from numerous partnerships and a groundbreaking announcement for 2020 was the Triennale's link-up with the Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain in Paris with a programme of events and exhibitions. Finally, what better way to end your visit than a relaxing break at the DesignCafè where every designer chair and every detail is perfectly in sync with the Museum's aesthetics?

You can visit the museum online on Google Arts & Culture.