Starting Dec. 3, 2025, the traditional Christmas exhibition returns to Palazzo Marino, the now customary appointment that every year offers Milanese and visitors a free exhibition, housed in the Sala Alessi, the prestigious reception hall of the City of Milan. Until January 11, 2026, the public can admire one of the most extraordinary masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance: the Monte San Martino Poly ptych by Carlo and Vittore Crivelli, a 15th-century work that has only rarely left the church of San Martino Vescovo at Monte San Martino in Macerata, its original home: in its more than five centuries of history, the polyptych has been moved only three times (Ancona 1950, Fermo 1951 and Venice 1961).
The work, dated around 1490, consists of ten panels with a predella depicting Christ blessing among the twelve apostles. In the center, the Virgin and Child evokes the Christmas Mystery. It is the only work made together by the two Crivelli brothers: started by Carlo, who interrupted the work for unknown reasons, the altar was later completed by his younger brother.
The exhibition, promoted and produced by the Municipality of Milan, the Archdiocese of Fermo and Intesa Sanpaolo, is a project carried out by Palazzo Reale and Gallerie d’Italia, in collaboration with the Municipality and the Parish of Monte San Martino, and realized by Civita Mostre e Musei with the support of Rinascente. Curated by Giovanni Morale and Marcello Smarrelli, the exhibition is part of theMilan Cortina 2026 Cultural Olympiad program. The official catalog, which includes introductory essays, in-depth essays and fact sheets dedicated to the works, is published by Allemandi. Free admission with free guided tours.
Once again this year, the exhibition is accompanied by the Christmas in the Villages initiative, realized thanks to the collaboration between the City of Milan and the Associazione Antichi Borghi Milanesi. From December 13 to January 4, it will be possible to take part in free guided tours to about twenty sites distributed in the nine city municipalities, an initiative designed to enhance villages, churches, sanctuaries, abbeys and oratories and discover works related to the Nativity, the Adoration of the Magi and the Holy Family, from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.
Public opening hours: daily from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. (last entry half an hour before closing).
Early closures-delayed openings: Dec. 7 closing at 12 noon (last entry at 11:30 a.m.), Dec. 24 and 31, 2025 closing at 6 p.m. (last entry half an hour before closing).
Holidays: Dec. 8, 26, Jan. 1 and 6 open from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. (last entry at 7:30 p.m.); Dec. 25 open from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (last entry half an hour before closing).
 |
| Milan, Crivelli brothers' Monte San Martino Polyptych to star in Palazzo Marino Christmas exhibition |
Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.
