The Palazzo Reale in Milan was for many centuries the seat of the government of the city of Milan, of the Kingdom of Lombardy-Veneto and then royal residence until 1919, when it was acquired at the state property becoming a venue for exhibitions and exhibitions.

Originally designed with a system of two courtyards, then partially demolished to make room for the Duomo, the palace is located to the right of the facade of the cathedral opposite to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The facade of the building, following the line of the ancient courtyard, forms a recess with respect to Piazza del Duomo, called the royal square.

Of particular importance is the Hall of the Caryatids on the main floor of the building, which occupies the site of the ancient theater burned in 1776 and is the most significant surviving environment, even if severely damaged, to the heavy Anglo-American bombardment of 1943; the damage caused by the incendiary pieces and the violent movements of air followed a state of neglect that lasted for more than two years, which caused the palace much more serious damage, with the loss of most of the neoclassical interiors.

The origins of Palazzo Reale are very old and its history is intertwined with that of Milan and those who have governed it. From the Sforza to Napoleon, from the plague to the bombings, there are many characters and events that have influenced the structure and functions of the Palace, a mirror of the strong powers that have alternated with the city government and that have changed its face during the centuries, until making it the most prestigious space for the great art exhibitions in Milan that we know today. Scrolling through the history of Palazzo Reale means reading the changes that have involved one of the most important cities in Italy and its inhabitants.

Source: Wikipedia; Palazzorealemilano.it