Milan, Lombardy · 2014

MUDEC – Museum of Cultures

A restored factory now houses an innovative museum dedicated to world cultures, with 7,000 objects spanning continents and disciplines alongside traveling exhibitions and fine dining.

At a glance

MUDEC opened in 2014 as a museum and exhibition center devoted to ethnographic and anthropological collections held by the Municipality of Milan. The permanent collection comprises 7,000 artworks, textiles, instruments and everyday objects from cultures across the world, complemented by rotating exhibitions and cultural events.

History

The museum’s creation brought together the Municipality of Milan’s existing ethnographic and anthropological holdings—materials accumulated through decades of collecting—into a unified, contemporary venue. The choice to house these collections in a repurposed industrial building reflects a broader trend of adaptive reuse in Milan’s cultural infrastructure.

What you see

British architect David Chipperfield designed the 17,000-square-meter facility, which occupies two floors. The ground level welcomes visitors with a Forum of Cultures, specialized library, conference spaces, restoration laboratory and Mudec Junior—a dedicated zone for children and young people.

The exhibition spaces unfold across the first floor around a distinctive quadrilobate covered square. From this central hub, rooms devoted to permanent and temporary displays branch outward. Chipperfield’s design plays contrasts: curved lines of the central transit space against the geometric, regular volumes of individual halls, reinforced by shifting light and color throughout the galleries.

Cultural significance

The museum demonstrates an interdisciplinary approach to understanding human diversity across time and geography. By presenting everyday objects, textiles and musical instruments alongside fine art, MUDEC positions material culture as essential to comprehending how people live and express meaning across the world.

Key facts

Address: Via Tortona 56, 20144 Milan
Designed by David Chipperfield
Opened 2014
7,000 objects in permanent collection
Phone: 02 54917
Website: http://www.mudec.it

Practical information

The museum houses a restaurant and bistro by Chef Enrico Bartolini, as well as a design store. Last entry is one hour before closing. Check the official website for current hours, as schedules vary by day and season.

Getting there

Located in Milan’s Tortona neighborhood at Via Tortona 56. Public transport connections are available; consult local transit maps for routes serving this address. The website provides detailed directions and visitor information.

Sources & resources

Find it on the map

See this place and what’s around it →

Google Maps See the location on a full map → Street View Walk around the place virtually → OpenStreetMap Free community cartography →

Historical events at this place (13)

📷 Diventa un fotografo di Cultural Heritage Online

Condividi le tue foto dei luoghi: restano pubblicate con la tua firma come autore. Più vengono viste, più ti fai conoscere — e presto un concorso premierà le foto più apprezzate.

Accedi o registrati gratis per aggiungere una foto