Milan is one of the main cultural centres in Italy. The modern city of Milan counts a rich cultural inheritance which people and institutions have contributed to reinforce during the course of the centuries. Today the entire city centre (and not only the centre) is full of important libraries and bookshops where it is possible to find any kind of modern or rare and ancient book.

• LIBRARIES IN MILAN
• BOOKSHOPS IN MILAN

AMBROSIAN LIBRARY

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The Biblioteca Ambrosiana was founded by Cardinal Federico Borromeo and was one of the first to be opened to the public (1609).
The library has a historical, literary, religious and particularly retrospective classical nature, that's to say it is dedicated to the study of the past. It houses a large number of codices in Greek, Latin, Vulgar Latin and various Oriental languages. The vastness of the collections, the number and value of the codices all make the Ambrosiana undoubtedly one of the most important libraries in Italy and even in the world.
Inside the library you'll find the Ambrosian Art Gallery, which was founded in 1621 as an Art Accademy.

Address: Piazza Pio XI 2, 20123 Milano
Phone: 02 806921
Fax: 02 80692210
E–mail: info@ambrosiana.it
Public Transport: MM1 – MM3 (Duomo station)

SORMANI LIBRARY

The Biblioteca Sormani is the main one of the Milan's State libraries system. It is a huge library, where it is possible to find texts covering any field of knowledge and it houses a rich books patrimony, which includes humanistic, juridic and artistic texts.
The entrance is free for all people over 14.

Location: Corso di Porta Vittoria 6, 20122 Milano
Phone: 02 88463397 (reception)
Fax: 02 88463353
E–mail: biblioteca.sormani@comune.milano.it
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 9.00 – 19.30
Public Transports: bus 54, 60, 65, 73, 84 and 94 – tram 12, 23, 27 – MM1 (San Babila), MM3 (Missori)

BRAIDENSE NATIONAL LIBRARY

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The Braidense National Library was opened to the public in 1786 in Milan.
It is an important Institute covering the doble role of preservation library and mirror on the huge current Milanese and Italian books production.
The entrance is free for all people over 16 (you will be asked to show an identity document with a photo at the reception desk).

Address: Via Brera 28, 20121 Milano
Phone: 02 86460907
Fax: 02 72023910
E–mail: info@braidense.it
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.30 – 18.15; Saturday 9.00 – 13.45
The library closes on December 7th (Sant'Ambrogio festivity, date of the birth of Milan's Saint patron).

ART BOOK TRIENNALE
International bookstore specialized in town planning, design and architecture. A large choice of design/art magazines and rare books.
Address: Viale Alemagna Emilio, 6 – Phone: 02 89013403
Address: Via Ventura Giovanni 5 – Phone: 02 26416814

BIRDLAND LIBRERIA
books, cd and dvd about the world of jazz.
Address: Via Cosimo Del Fante 16 (MM1 Duomo, MM2 S. Ambrogio, MM3 Missori)
Phone: 02 58310856

LE NOTE COLORATE
music bookstore
Address: Via Donizetti Gaetano, 8
Phone: 02 54120875

LIBRERIA ALTERNATIVA
Rare texts and books about: eastern knowledge and western culture, north and south's traditions, popular mythologies, alternative medicine and science, magic and esotericism, ethnic music.
Address: Via Dei Transiti, 25 (MM Pasteur)
Phone: 02 2617799

LIBRERIA DELL'AUTOMOBILE
Italian and international books about historical and modern cars and motorcycles
Address: Corso Venezia, 43
Phone: 02 76006624 www.libreriadellautomobile.it

LIBRERIA DELLO SPETTACOLO
books about theatre, cinema, music, dance and performing arts.
Address: Via Terraggio, 11 (MM1 and MM2 Cadorna)
Phone: 02 86451730

LIBRERIA FOGLIAZZA
scientific and medical bookstore.
Address: Via Della Commenda, 25
Phone: 02 54100799

LIBRERIA MALVASI
rare and ancient books
Address: Largo Schuster, 1
Phone: 02 804607

LUOGHI E LIBRI
a bookstore entirely dedicated to voyages
Address: Via Melloni Macedonio 32
Phone: 02 7388370

MAREMAGNUM COM
ancient and modern books.
Address: Largo Schuster Cardinale Ildefonso, 1
Phone: 02 45470720

MONTI IN CITTÀ
bookstore-wine bar where you can find a wide range mountain publishing and a selection of the best wines of the alpine valleys.
Address: Viale Emilio Caldara, 20
Phone: 02 55181790

SOTTOCORNO LIBRI E CAFFÈ
a bookstore where you can read books while listening to relaxing music and drinking a good Italian hot chocolate.
Address: Via Maestri Pietro, 1
Phone: 02 76016131

SULLA STRADA LIBRERIA CAFFÈ LETTERARIO
fiction bookstore and literary café specialized in American literature, books about cinema and writing.
Address: Via Piero Della Francesca, 22
Phone: 02 342406