Cimitero Monumentale

Overview

The Cimitero Monumentale is Milan's grand open-air museum of funerary art, where the city's wealthiest industrialists and artists commissioned extraordinary tombs and sculptures from the late 19th century onward.

Highlights

• The Famedio: The monumental entrance hall serving as a pantheon for Milan's most illustrious citizens, including Alessandro Manzoni.
• Art Nouveau Tombs: Extraordinary Art Nouveau and Art Deco mausoleums rivaling any sculpture gallery.
• The Campari Tomb: The flamboyant Last Supper-themed monument commissioned by the Campari aperitivo dynasty.

History

Opened in 1866, the cemetery was designed by Carlo Maciachini in an eclectic mix of Gothic, Romanesque, and Byzantine styles. Milan's industrial elite transformed their family plots into competitive displays of artistic patronage, hiring leading sculptors of each generation.

Visitor Tips

• Free Guided Tours: Free guided tours are available on weekends in Italian.
• Map Essential: Pick up a free map at the entrance to locate the most significant tombs across the vast grounds.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.