Milano ’46 at Palazzo Marino: the exhibition on the 1946 elections and

Milano ’46 at Palazzo Marino: the exhibition on the 1946 elections and referendum

Palazzo Marino’s historic council chamber in Piazza della Scala hosts an exhibition that reconstructs the political moments of 1946 that shaped Italy’s institutional transition. The display features original posters, campaign documents and archival items illustrating the first postwar municipal elections and the referendum that established the Republic.

Why visit

The exhibition highlights two closely linked and pivotal events: the municipal elections of 7 April 1946, which for the first time included women voters in Milan, and the institutional referendum of 2 June 1946. A wooden ballot trunk used at one polling station is among the central objects on display, providing a tangible link to the voting experience. The show also remembers Milan’s first four female city councillors and showcases materials preserved by the Cittadella degli Archivi.

Practical information

• Location: Council chamber, Palazzo Marino, Piazza della Scala, Milan.
• Admission: Free entry.
• Reservation: Required.
• Opening hours: Weekday afternoons, 14:30–17:00.
• Exhibition period: Until 2 June 2026.
• Suggested visit time: About 20 minutes.

Context and curation

The project marks the eightieth anniversary of the institutional referendum and was organized in collaboration with local memory initiatives. The exhibition privileges original archival sources from municipal collections to offer a direct reading of the material and to encourage reflection on democratic values.

Visitor tips

• Bring an identity document if requested for access to institutional spaces.
• Check reservation procedures on the municipality’s official channels or with the organizers.
• If short on time, a 20-minute visit is enough to grasp the exhibition’s main highlights.