From tomorrow – March 5, 2026 – the Castello Sforzesco inaugurates the renewed Ancient Egypt Gallery, a completely redesigned space that brings one of Italy's most significant civic collections back into the spotlight. The project has expanded the exhibition itinerary and updated the museum layout, offering the public the opportunity to discover ancient Egypt through a selection of approximately 330 artifacts, including 80 never presented before.
A collection born in the nineteenth century
The history of the Milanese collection has its roots in the early decades of the nineteenth century, at the height of the European "Egypt mania." The first finds—sarcophagi and papyrus fragments—arrived at the Numismatic Cabinet and the Brera Library, later merging into the civic collections. In 1825, Jean-François Champollion, famous for deciphering hieroglyphics, had the opportunity to observe these materials during a stay in Milan.
Transferred to the Castle in 1900, the collection grew over time thanks to targeted acquisitions and private donations. A decisive moment was represented by the excavation campaigns in the Fayum Oasis, between 1934 and 1939, led by the papyrologist Achille Vogliano and also supported by the City of Milan. From that experience comes, among other things, the statue of Pharaoh Amenemhat III, one of the collection's iconic works.
In recent years, new acquisitions – including pieces from the Bresciani and Ruffini collections – have further expanded the collection, which today numbers around 3.000 artefacts, dating from the 4th millennium BC to the 5th century AD. The periods from the New Kingdom to the Late Period are particularly well represented.
A six-section journey to discover ancient Egypt
The new exhibition organizes the story into six thematic sections: “Living in Ancient Egypt,” “Living with the Gods,” “Living in the Afterlife,” “Milan in Egypt”—with a focus on Vogliano's finds at Tebtynis and Medinet Madi—, “Greco-Roman Egypt,” and “Coptic Egypt.”
The stated goal is to provide tools for understanding the complexity of Nile civilization: its religious dimension, its conception of the afterlife, its figurative codes, its aesthetics, and the relationship between humanity, the cosmos, and divinity. Alongside sarcophagi, canopic jars, and stelae, there are also amulets, ushabtis, and bronze statuettes, often devoid of their original context but valuable for reconstructing customs and beliefs.
Among the most important works are the aforementioned statue of Amenemhat III, a refined gilded bronze statuette depicting Osiris, the mummy with the sarcophagi of Pefjauauiaset and a papyrus with the Book of the dead of the priest Hornefer. To these is added a papyrus approximately seven metres long, coming from the Busca collection and owned by the IRCCS Foundation Ca' Granda General Hospital, which enters into dialogue with other artefacts from the same collection now preserved in the civic collections.
Restoration, research and technology
The reopening comes after a period of closure during which restoration work and diagnostic investigations were carried out to deepen our understanding of the materials. The scientific project was curated by Sabrina Ceruti and Anna Provenzali.
In terms of museum design, the exhibition—designed by Markus Scherer's Merano studio—enhances the long, narrow shape of the room with over fifty floor-to-ceiling display cases and pale stone cladding that evoke the monumentality of Egyptian architecture. The lighting, designed by the Ferrara Palladino Lightscape studio, contributes to creating a cozy, immersive atmosphere. An interactive 3D application also guides visitors through the funerary ritual, complementing the traditional tour with digital tools.
Activities and visits
The reopening also brings new guided tours and workshops for schools. During the first weekend following the inauguration, museum facilitators will be present, and in-depth conferences with scholars and experts are scheduled.
The concessionaire company Ad Artem also offers themed tours dedicated to adults, including itineraries along the so-called “secret routes” of the Castle, such as the Panoramic Battlements and the Covered Ghirlanda Road.
Information
The Gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:30 pm (last admission 5:00 pm; ticket office closes at 4:30 pm). Closed on Mondays, December 25th, January 1st, and May 1st.
Full-price tickets cost €5, reduced-price tickets €3. Free admission is available during certain times (first and third Tuesdays of the month from 2:00 PM; first Sunday of the month) and for specific categories, including children under 18, people with disabilities, accredited journalists, and ICOM members.
Access to the Castle courtyards is free every day from 7:00 am to 7:30 pm. Groups must book their entry time to the Gallery by writing to segreteria@spazioaster.itIn case of heavy attendance, access cannot be guaranteed without a reservation.
Multilingual audio guides are available for €5. Guided tours are available every weekend without reservation: Saturday in English, Sunday in Italian.
