History

Palazzo Citterio, also known as Palazzo Furstemberg, is an elegant 18th-century mansion located at 12-14 Via Brera, in the heart of Milan. Acquired by the state in 1972, the palace was to become the centerpiece of the “Grande Brera,” a visionary project conceived by Franco Russoli, then director of the Brera Art Gallery.

Due to the spatial continuity between the Brera and Citterio palaces through the latter’s garden and botanical garden, it presented itself as an ideal candidate to solve the space problems of the Brera Picture Gallery and its offices. Among other things, the rooms of the Citterio palace housed the famous collection of Emilio Jesi. Since then there have been several projects for its recovery.

The transformation path of Palazzo Citterio has been long and complex. After its acquisition in 1972, several restoration and redevelopment projects followed, each marked by challenges and setbacks:

• 1975: Initiation of the first structural work, with restoration of the facade and roofs.
• 1980-1986: The “Friends of Brera” association commissioned architect James Stirling to design new exhibition and multifunctional spaces. The project, approved in 1989, marked a milestone in the redefinition of the building as a museum.
• 2012-2018: A substantial 23 million euro grant enabled further work, including the completion of some underground areas. However, complications such as asbestos remediation slowed down the work.
  

In 2024, under the direction of Angelo Crespi, Palazzo Citterio finally saw the light of day thanks to a new stabilization project and layout signed by architect Mario Cucinella. The intervention enhanced the historicity of the palace, transforming it into an innovative and inclusive space. The entrance hall, exhibition routes and multifunctional areas were designed to dialogue with the city and offer the public a unique experience.