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While we’ve already highlighted top destinations around the world for tarot enthusiasts, we felt inspired to create an itinerary dedicated to Italy.
Why Italy? Because tarot’s origins can be traced back to this country and Italy is home to several must-visit spots for tarot enthusiasts. Some stand out for their historical significance in the birth and evolution of tarot, while others offer a more immersive experience… Let’s explore them together!
If you’ve visited any of these places, let us know what you think in the comments below. And if you have more suggestions, we’d love to hear them.
Milan Tarot Tour
Our tarot journey begins in the north and heads south, with the first stop in Milan. More specifically, at Castello Sforzesco (Sforza Castle), which holds a special place in tarot history, as it is considered the birthplace of the cards.
After visiting this iconic site, we’ll explore other key tarot-related destinations in the heart of Milan.
Essentially, this Italian itinerary also includes a dedicated tarot tour of Milan.
Castello Sforzesco, Milan
Castello Sforzesco (Italian for “Sforza’s Castle“) is located in the heart of Milan. This medieval fortification was built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan, and, as mentioned earlier, it is considered the birthplace of tarot.
Between 1414 and 1425, the Visconti family commissioned painter Bonifacio Bembo to create the first tarot deck: the Visconti-Sforza deck. This deck would later inspire well-known decks such as the Marseille Tarot and the Rider-Waite Tarot.
While the Visconti-Sforza deck is not on display at the castle museum today, and tarot exhibitions aren’t permanent, the castle occasionally hosts special exhibits related to tarot. Additionally, guided tours sometimes begin at the castle and explore the history of these iconic cards, offering an engaging way to discover both the cards and the city. However, these tours are not available year-round.
Even if you don’t catch a tarot exhibition, visiting the castle is still a unique experience. You won’t necessarily go to see tarot cards, but to breathe in the history and witness the place where the world of tarot began.
Fun fact: You might wonder where you can find the remains of the first tarot deck: the Visconti-Sforza one. Well, it’s a bit of a journey, as the deck is spread out across various locations. The complete deck originally had 78 cards: 14 cards for each of the four suits (Minor Arcana) and 22 symbolic cards depicting human archetypes (Major Arcana). According to this source, currently, 26 cards are housed at Accademia Carrara in Bergamo, 35 cards at the Pierpont Morgan Library in New York, and 13 cards are privately owned. Four cards from the deck are missing.
Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan
There’s another significant tarot-related location just a 10-minute walk from Castello Sforzesco: the Pinacoteca di Brera.
Here, two tarot decks of incredible historical importance are kept. However, due to their rarity and value, they are not on public display, meaning you can’t simply see them with a regular ticket. If you’re a student or researcher studying tarot history, you can send an email to request an appointment to view the decks. For those interested in learning more about these remarkable decks, keep reading and click on the links provided.
Even without a tarot exhibit, the Pinacoteca itself is located in a stunning historic building and houses iconic masterpieces, making it well worth a visit for art lovers in Milan!
One of the decks housed here is the Sola Busca Tarot, considered by some to be the oldest complete tarot deck known. There is some debate about this, as many still regard the Visconti-Sforza deck as the original. The deck’s name comes from its last owners, Marchesa Busca and Count Sola, and it dates back to the late 1400s.
The other deck, though incomplete, consists of 48 cards, mostly featuring a gold background. It is known as the Brera-Brambilla deck, named after Giovanni Brambilla, who purchased it in Venice in 1900. Though its history is uncertain, it’s believed that Francesco Sforza commissioned (also) this deck from the artist Bonifacio Bembo in 1463. Fun fact: it includes only two triumph cards.
Caption: Braidense National Library, commonly known as the Biblioteca di Brera due to its location in the Pinacoteca di Brera. It is one of the largest public libraries in Italy, located in Milan.
Libreria Esoterica, Milan
Still in the historic center of Milan, within walking distance from both Castello Sforzesco and Pinacoteca di Brera, you’ll find the Libreria Esoterica. This bookstore offers a wide range of mystical and tarot-related books and items, as well as various other spiritual products.
Here, you can discover historical decks like the Oswald Wirth tarot and many others, alongside a plethora of intriguing oracles. You’re sure to find several from our recommended oracle list.
In addition to tarot and oracles, there are many books available – primarily in Italian, but also a smaller selection in English. One must-have is Tarot edited by Taschen, featuring stunning imagery. You can also find some curious titles on how to create your own deck. Quite fascinating, right? The store also carries many (if not all) of Jodorowsky‘s books, although those are in Italian.
While you can indulge in some shopping here, be sure to save a bit of money for your next destination!
Il Meneghello, Milan
The next destination is a must-visit shop in Milan dedicated to tarot: Il Meneghello. Just a short walk from Libreria Esoterica and only steps away from the Colonne di San Lorenzo, this shop transports you from the chaos of the street outside into a different world—a world of symbols and art.
Located at Corso di Porta Ticinese 53, Il Meneghello was created by artist Osvaldo Menegazzi, who has spent decades designing and crafting handmade tarot decks. In fact, this is the perfect place to discover unique artisanal decks, each handcrafted with love and passion.
You can discover everything from the renowned Sforza and Mantegna tarot decks to the iconic Marseille tarot, as well as quirky futurist decks and special editions crafted by Osvaldo himself. This shop invites you to explore Milan’s history through tarot—after all, this is the city where tarot was born (as we’ve mentioned several times now!)
Of course, you can experience the charm of the place just by visiting, but if you can’t make it in person, you can also shop—or simply browse and immerse yourself—through their well-crafted online shop.
One bonus: save some money before visiting this unique place, as they offer not only decks but also exquisite works of art and installations inspired by tarot—perfect for adding a distinctive touch to your home decor.
Before leaving Milan to explore a couple more Italian tarot spots, here are a few additional addresses to check out. Mirasolvia is an herbalist and tarot reading café located not far from Il Meneghello. Another option is Mondo Esoterico Shop, located at Via Giuseppe Candiani, 7.
International Tarot Museum, Riola
Moving south, far away from Milan, you’ll find a special place in the small village of Riola, an important cultural hub for tarot lovers: the International Tarot Museum. Housed in a historic 16th-century stone building in the Bolognese Apennines, the museum may be small, but it feels expansive. The impressive quantity and quality of works on display create an experience akin to getting lost in an enchanted forest.
The museum boasts collections of tarot decks from around the world, including 17th-century decks from India and wooden decks from Africa. The variety of works and artistic methods present in the museum—collage, painting, graphic art, photography, and more—will leave you in awe, as they express and celebrate the archetypes of tarot.
The museum often organizes cultural events, tarot festivals, exhibitions, and guided tours, creating a captivating atmosphere filled with symbols that stimulate the emotions. These exhibitions are not only held inside the museum but also at other centers.
Giardino dei Tarocchi – Tarot Garden, Tuscany
Let’s move further south to the enchanting region of Tuscany, specifically to Capalbio, which is about two hours north of Rome. Here, you’ll find the Giardino dei Tarocchi (Tarot Garden) – a spot you can’t miss!
This captivating sculpture garden, created by French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle, brings tarot cards to life with its vibrant and imaginative sculptures. Each piece is inspired by a different tarot card, making the garden a colorful and mystical place to explore, nestled in the Tuscan hills.
The garden features incredible sculptures up to 15 meters high, representing the 22 major arcana of the Tarot. Made of steel and concrete and decorated with colored glass, mirrors, and ceramics, these sculptures include figures like The Empress, The High Priestess, The Magician, The Hanged Man, and The Moon. Each piece is rich in detail, with esoteric and symbolic significance.
A fun fact: Niki de Saint Phalle lived for several months in one of her sculptures to immerse herself in her own art and draw inspiration to complete her works.
If you visit, you don’t need a guide. The artist intended for everyone to find their own path through the sculptures, following their own feelings.
For more information, visit the Tarot Garden’s website. Note: it’s open only from April to October.
As we wrap up this journey through Italy’s enchanting tarot destinations, we’d love to hear from you! Have you visited any of the spots we highlighted? Did you discover other hidden gems worth mentioning? Share your experiences and recommendations in the comments below! Your insights could inspire fellow tarot enthusiasts on their own Italian adventures.
