Fondazione Prada — Attraction in Milan

The Fondazione Prada is a contemporary art foundation located in Milan, Italy. It was founded in 1993 by the fashion house Prada and is housed in a complex of buildings designed by the architect Rem Koolhaas. The foundation hosts a variety of exhibitions, events, and educational programs, and is dedicated to promoting contemporary art and culture.

The Fondazione Prada is a must-visit for anyone interested in contemporary art. The architecture of the buildings is as impressive as the art on display, and the exhibitions are always thought-provoking and engaging. The foundation also has a great restaurant and a bookstore, making it a great place to spend an afternoon or evening.

The architecture: The buildings are designed by Rem Koolhaas, one of the most famous architects in the world. The complex is a mix of old and new, industrial and contemporary, and it is truly a sight to behold.

The art: The foundation hosts a variety of exhibitions, from established artists to emerging talent. The exhibitions are always well-curated and thought-provoking.

The events: The foundation hosts a variety of events, from film screenings to concerts to lectures. There is always something going on, so you are sure to find something that interests you.

The restaurant: The restaurant, La Scala, is one of the best in Milan, but a bit pricey🤑. The food is delicious and the views are amazing.

The bookstore: The bookstore has a great selection of books on art, architecture, and design. It is a great place to find a unique souvenir of your visit.

If you are planning a trip to Milan, be sure to add the Fondazione Prada to your itinerary. It is a truly unique and unforgettable experience.

Here are some tips for visiting the Fondazione Prada:

Buy your tickets in advance, especially if you are visiting during peak season. We visited in August when Milan was completely empty 🏜️ so we bought the tickets on the spot.

Allow enough time to explore the complex. There is a lot to see and do, so you don't want to feel rushed.

Wear comfortable shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking and climbing stairs (there is an elevator 🛗 in one of the buildings for disabled, elderly or pregnant visitors only. The main building has an elevator for everyone).

Bring a camera. You will want to capture all the amazing things you see. Some expositions you are not allowed to take photos of 📸, but in the other buildings there will be plenty for you to capture.

Be prepared to be inspired. The Fondazione Prada is a truly...

To begin with, my experience at this place left me extremely upset and disappointed. I must express my frustration with certain aspects that need serious improvement.

Upon arrival, I encountered an inconvenient "No bags allowed" policy. Even though my bag was small, I was forced to hand it over to the cloakroom. To make matters worse, since my tote was mostly empty, it was possible to be folded and placed inside a plastic bag they provided with all the contents I had. This policy seemed ludicrous, especially considering that it was not enforced consistently throughout the venue. Many individuals in other buildings were carrying bags without any issues. And that at the end I had all my belongings with me anyways.

Building 4, supposedly the haunted house, Haunted by what? Emptiness?? left me puzzled and unimpressed. The lack of content made it feel empty and uninspiring. 1st floor had nothing of interest, 2nd floor only had two drawings. The 3rd floor was completely empty, except for two gold balconies that were part of the building's structure. The 4th floor had an interesting concept, but again, empty.

Moving on to Building 9, "Sud": Jean Luc's house, it was ok.

Building 7, "Cinema", This exposition actually only provided insights into some pretty amazing places in the world. Come ready to take some notes.

Building 11, "Torre", was by far the most infuriating part of the experience. The effort of climbing 11 floors on foot was an absolute disappointment as each room turned out to be empty. Empty floor after empty floor. The elevator was not functioning fast enough (actually soooo slow, a "designer" elevator that doesn't work? What's the point? Form over Function like the rest of the foundation I presume...), making the whole journey even more frustrating. The 8th floor was somewhat acceptable, but the 9th floor was an absolute joke!!! featuring nothing but a pitch-black room... Are you kidding me??????

In all honesty, this place was a waste of both time and money. While the building itself may have had an impressive appearance, the lack of meaningful content was undeniable. Milan offers so so many other activities that are far more worthwhile and enjoyable...

To the curator of the folding screens exhibit

The collection was undoubtedly amazing and surprising. There were truly some priceless pieces. It was a joy to the beholder. However, the layout was appalling, or to use a better word asinine and frankly démodé. But before feeling the brunt of the insult, I should like to point out how frustrating it was to go through the exhibition. Let’s just point out some basic facts: The average age bracket visiting the foundation was clearly middle-aged. Fifteen Euro for younger people might seem a hefty price to pay. The numbering on the individual pieces was mind baffling and haphazard – was it supposed to be a treasure hunt? The description for each piece were only written on a pamphlet, and heaven forbid if you were above fifty - I challenge you to read it without glasses. Have you not heard of QR codes, honestly! I might be done with my sarcasm, but meandering through the exhibition was another nightmare. After finding the numbers randomly strewn in odd corners, the next piece jumped from 48 to 63. Flipping back and forth that blasted pamphlet was extremely aggravating. I voiced my frustration to both the kind attendees and to other visitors that agreed with me on the sloppiness of how the whole setting. Please do try to take this as positive criticism and try to bring the planning of future exhibitions down to earth – to the middleman/woman, so as to allow us to thoroughly enjoy it. This is called venting, and sometimes it is also...