Last updated on August 29, 2023
The Hangar Bicocca is a stunning example of redevelopment of an old industrial complex that dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. The current building of the museum used to be the main factory where were manufactured
“…railway carriages, electric and steam locomotives, boilers, farm machinery and equipment and, during the First World War, aeroplanes, projectiles and other products for the war effort.”
From the Hangar Bicocca website
The Pirelli Hangar Bicocca
Nowadays the Hangar Bicocca in Milan is the permanent location of contemporary art’s masterpieces and the home to the The Seven Heavenly Palaces by the German artist Anselm Kiefer.
This is a site specific installation which was inspired by the old book Sefer Hechalot (The book of palaces) belonging to the jewish tradition (IV-V century a.d.).












The Seven Heavenly Palaces is composed by 7 different buildings which range from a fourteen to a eighteen meters height. Each of the building is made of reinforced concrete and weights almost ninety tons.
The seven towers rise up in the main area of the Hangar Bicocca on a total surface of 15.000 square meters which make of this contemporary art museum one of the largest of its kind in Europe.
The particular use of lights within the museum helps the visitor to truly concetrate on the artworks and drives the audience to deeply uderstand the meaning of this installation.
Anselm Keifer wanted to give shape to the old Jewish religion, to reproduce the ruins of the western world after the second world conflict and above all to project the audience to its potential future. It is a sort of a warning that the artist leaves in the hands of the visitors to avoid our past’s mistakes.
The venue is must-see location when it comes to contemporary art where the dialogue between the visitors and the artist is supported by the constant presence of its skilled employees.
Opening times and tickets of the Pirelli Hangar Bicocca
Via Chiese 2
20126 Milan
T (+39) 02 66 11 15 73
F (+39) 02 64 70 275
info@hangarbicocca.org
Opening hours
Monday to Wednesday: closed
Thursday to Sunday: 10am-10pm
Bookshop hours
Monday to Wednesday: closed
Thursday to Sunday: 10am–9pm
Café Restaurant hours
Monday: closed
Tuesday and Wednesday: 11am–4pm
Thursday and Friday: 10am-11pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10am-12am
[…] Kishio Suga‘s exhibition in Milan is almost over. You only have a couple of days to enjoy the installation that are now on dispaly at the Pirelli Hangar Bicocca. […]