Niguarda is a relevant structure even from the architectural and artistic point of view. The hospital boasts a series of relevant works of art. Niguarda is protected by the Ministry of Fine Arts and it has been always susceptible to “the beauty” and to the artistic culture. In 1940 it has been defined as “The City of Art” by the historian Costantini, it expresses a strong connection to the city of Milan and its history too by its monumental and rationalist structure.
Up to its entrance moving through the paths and in the indoor sections, it is possible to admire works of art made by great artists as Arturo Martini, Francesco Messina, Franco Lombardi, Mario Sironi and Aldo Carpi.

In the rut of this tradition, the hospital continues to host in its places a series of permanent works of art and itinerant exibitions, aware of the social and therapeutic role of the art. The presence of the Mapp (Paolo Pini Art Museum) and of the Art workshops in the area of mental disorders care and the attention given to the the architectural aspects, are examples of palpable awareness.

• Between 800 and 1400 A.D.: In the city of Milan by the initiatives of private citizens of the clergy and of religious hospital orders bring about the opening of several hospitals.
• Early 1400s: The hospital SS. Annunziata (later called Ospedale Maggiore) is opened thanks to the efforts of Francesco Sforza and Pope Pious II.
• 1500: The hospital, designed by Antonio Averulino (called the Filarete) and built between the Canal and San Nazaro in Brolo, begins to work, even though it is not finished.
• Early 1900s: The Ospedale Maggiore is no longer able to satisfy the growing needs of the Milanese. Construction begins on a hospital formed of several pavilions, which currently houses theOspedale Maggiore and the Policlinico Universitario.
• 1932: Construction begins on that “new great general hospital” which was long ago planned for and desired to meet the growing needs of the city.
• October 10,1939: The hospital “Niguarda Ca' Granda”, designed by the engineer Giulio Marcovigi and the architect Giulio Arata, overseen medically by Professor Enrico Ronzani, and built on an area of 322,000 square meters, opens with 1,500 hospital beds immediately available.
• October 12, 1939: The newspaper ”Avvenire Sanitario” prints the following announcement: “…the new large Hospital of Pardon begins its life by receiving and carrying on the glorious plurisecular scientific and charitable tradition of the Ospedale Maggiore…maybe we search in vain overseas for a similar monumental structure coupled with such perfect rational logical organization and that refined artistic quality that make the Italian race and spirit invincible.…”
• June 14 1993: The hospital is recognized as a national interest and highly specialized hospital.
• June 30 1994: The hospital “Niguarda Ca’Granda” is recognized as a Hospital System