The Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Landscape was created in 1974, by Giovanni Spadolini, who was the first Minister. Throughout the years, the Institution has changed names and responsabilities, which have been enlarged and more defined with time. Since 2013, it has been renamed Ministry of Culture. It is dedicated to the protection, conservation, enhancement and promotion of the Italian cultural patrimony: from archaeological heritage to historic-artistic and architectural patrimony, from landscape to anthropological assets, from libraries and archives to contemporary art and architecture, including non-historic areas. It includes cinema, theatre, tourism and a focus on museum collections and public cultural sites.

The current minister is Gennaro Sangiuliano, serving from October 22, 2022.