Milan

Milan is a modern city. He does not immediately throw all his charms into the tourist’s face. Here you need to live longer, studying and exploring it. A good reason to visit Milan is the opportunity to buy branded items at fabulous prices.

Milan (Milano)

Milan (Milano) - the "northern capital" of Italy, the second city in the country in size and importance. It is the main economic center of Lombardy and the entire Italian north: there are many banks and exchanges. The city combines modern business districts and medieval architectural monuments. He is considered the capital of science, furniture design, world fashion.

A lot of fashionable hotels have been built throughout the city, the transport infrastructure is perfectly developed: tram and trolleybus networks, metro. Milan industry is diversified in nature: it is dominated by serious technical sectors - defense and metallurgy, electronics, mechanical engineering. In the manufacturing sectors, more than half of the Milanese population is involved.

Sights

To see all the sights of the capital of Lombardy, one day is enough. All the most interesting is located in the city center, which is small and convenient for hiking. Getting lost and tired here is almost impossible. It’s better to start exploring Milan from Cathedral Square.

Cathedral Square

Piazza del duomo

"Heart" of Milan - Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo - Piazza del Duomo). The main highways of the city lead to it. The current appearance of the square is the merit of two architects who supervised its reconstruction and the construction of new buildings in the period 1859-77. and in 1929. The renewal of the ensemble of the square was carried out by Giuseppe Mengoni and Piero Portaluppi.

On Cathedral Square you will see the following masterpieces of architecture:

• Cathedral of Milan (Duomo);
• shopping gallery of Victor Emmanuel II (Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II);
• Arengario Palace (Palazzo dell'Arengario) (1939). In 2010, the XXth Art Museum was opened here. (Museo del Novecento);
• Carminati Palace (Palazzo Carminati);
• North Palace (Palazzo dei Portici Settentrionali);
• South Palace (Palazzo dei Portici Meridionali);
• Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale), in which museums of modern art and the Duomo Cathedral are open;
• equestrian monument to Victor Emmanuel II (Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II) by Ercole Rosa.

Almost the entire area near the Duomo is a pedestrian zone. It hosts cultural celebrations, concerts and sports, which are broadcast on a huge screen.

Cathedral

Duomo

Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano) dominates the ensemble of the square among the luxurious palazzos, closing the perspective of the square. Snow-white Santa Maria Nascente (Santa Maria Nascente), the so-called cathedral, was built for almost six centuries. Flaming Gothic style was chosen for the main church in Milan, and marble was the material for construction. Its elegant facades, decorated with lace cornices, and pointed peaks with many delicate pinnacles seem weightless. The highest spire of the Duomo is crowned by a gilded statue of the Madonna - the heavenly patroness of Milan. The “Crown” of a building of 135 spiers, which is visible from everywhere, is impressive on the facade.

There is a panoramic platform on the roof of the cathedral. Up to € 13 a special elevator delivers, but you can climb the stairs, there are 500 in all, for € 9 from the platform you will see Duomo stone lace close by and admire the views of Milan.

Address: Piazza del Duomo, 20122 Milan. Website: duomomilano.it.

Sforza Castle

Sforzesco Castle

Castello Square (Piazza Castello) is the medieval castle of Sforza (Castello Sforzesco) - a symbol of Milan. It is open for visits, tourists walk along its courtyards and massive fortress walls. Castello Sforzesco hosts a whole range of City Museums:

• Museum of Ancient Art;
• Pinakothek;
• Archaeological Museum;
• A collection of applied art and a collection of musical instruments;
• Iconography;
• Weapon collection;
• A collection of antique furniture;
• Exhibition of wooden sculptures of the XV-XXI century.

Walking around the castle museums, do not miss the 12 priceless Trivulcio Tapestries, which symbolically depict the months and the corresponding signs of the zodiac.

Does the Sforza castle with its battlements remind you of something? The Moscow Kremlin! Yes, it was this castle that was taken as an example by Milanese architects who built the Kremlin on Red Square.

Entrance to the castle is free. From 14:00 on Friday and an hour before closing on weekdays, the castle museums can be visited for free.
Address: Via Filodrammatici, 2. Website: milanocastello.it.

Fountain Wedding Cake

Wedding Cake Fountain, photo by Stefano Nichelini

Right at the gate of the Sforzesco castle is another attraction of Milan, the fountain "Wedding Cake" (Turta de spus), which is the patron saint of all lovers and awaiting love. It’s worth throwing a coin in the fountain, or better two, and all your requests to the heavenly office regarding the second half will certainly materialize. Check out the miraculous fulfillment of love wishes with lush streams of water on yourself!

The fountain was repeatedly demolished and rebuilt. The last time it was removed in the 50s of the last century, because Metro was built here. In 2000, the "Wedding Cake" was re-mounted and returned to the city.

Sempione Park

Arch of Peace in Sempione Park, photo by Jingarova

The largest park of the city and the favorite park of the Milanese is Semco (Parco Sempione), founded in 1893. The English garden is set up near the Sforza castle. Here, alleys of centuries-old trees, perfectly trimmed shrubs and green lawns harmoniously coexist with bridges, streams, fountains and ponds with ducks.

The panorama of the park from the west is closed by the monumental Arch of Peace, conceived by Napoleon in 1807 for a triumphal entry into Milan. The arcades and pedestals of this building are decorated with carefully thought-out sculptural decor, plot bas-reliefs.

In the Sempione park there are: the Palazzo dell'Arte (Palazzo del Arte) palace, where exhibitions of decorative art are regularly held; tower with an observation deck; interesting aquarium; Bonaparte stadium.

Entrance to the park is free. Address: Piazza Sempione, 20154 Milano.

Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie

Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, photo Drop83

The refectory of the Dominican cloister Santa Maria delle Grazie (Chiesa e Convento Domenicano di Santa Maria delle Grazie) holds a masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci - the fresco "The Last Supper" (Cenacolo Vinciano), depicting the last meal of Jesus Christ and his apostles. Millions of tourists are eager to see this greatest work of art. Groups of 25 people are allowed in the refectory; visits are booked for several months.

Church address: Piazza di Santa Maria delle Grazie, 20123 Milano. Website: vivaticket.it.

La Scala Theater

Before the performance near the La Scala Theater, photo by MITO SettembreMusica

Not far from the Cathedral is the legendary Teatro alla Scala Theater in Milan - the famous center of world opera. It was built in 1776-1778. on the site of the church of Santa Maria della Scala, hence the name of the theater. Architect Giuseppe Piermarini. Outside La Scala is homely, but inside there is a magnificent concert hall for 2.5 thousand spectators in white and silver with gold tones, red velvet armchairs with monitors on their backs, a luxurious chandelier of 365 lamps, chic costumes of artists and amazing scenery ...

One wing of the theater was given to the Museum of the History of La Scala. Every year on December 7, the day of St. Ambrose, the opening of a new theater season takes place.

Address: Via Filodrammatici, 2, 20121 Milano. Website: teatroallascala.org.

Opposite the La Scala theater is a monument to Leonard da Vinci.

Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci

Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci

In the building with arcade galleries, formerly owned by the monastery, many exhibition pavilions are opened dedicated to the world achievements of science and technological progress.

The Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology (Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci) has a place for ingenious engineering finds, as well as sculptures and paintings. We know Leonardo da Vinci as a “Renaissance man,” an inventor, artist, sculptor, and musician. The museum presents drawings and models of the master, the Enrico Toti submarine, a telescope, a car, a pyramidal parachute designed by da Vinci.

Address: Via San Vittore, 21, 20123 Milano. Website: museoscienza.org.

Pinacoteca Brera

Pinacoteca Brera

Since 1809, a gallery has been operating in the baroque palace of Brera - Pinacoteca di Brera. In its forty rooms there are rich collections of paintings by Italian artists, sculptural masterpieces, religious attributes. You will see the works of Rubens, Bellini, Picasso, Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian, Hayes and others. Don’t miss the two priceless treasures of the gallery - Raphael’s painting “Betrothal of the Virgin Mary” and a sculpture of Napoleon, 3 m high and 2 t weight, by Antonio Canova.

Address: Via Brera, 28, 20121 Milano. Website: brera.beniculturali.it.

Pinacoteca Ambrosiana

Exposition in the Ambrosian Gallery, photo emzepe

The Ambrosian Pinacoteca (Pinacoteca Ambrosiana), like the Brera Gallery, was opened for students of the Milan Academy of Fine Arts in 1618 in a magnificent archbishop's palace. Today it is a museum of international level. In its ancient halls canvases of great masters are stored: Rembrandt, Botticelli, Titian, Brueghel, Caravaggio (pay attention to the work "Fruit Vase"); drawings and sketches for paintings by Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael adorning the Vatican Museums. The gallery library contains a collection of drawings and drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, which is exhibited in parts every three months. The courtyard of the museum is decorated with sculptures.

There are few visitors to the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, which offers a pleasant and detailed viewing of the exposition.

Address: Piazza Pio XI, 2. Website: ambrosiana.eu.

Gallery of Modern Art

Villa Belgioioso, photo by Davide-Oliva

The Gallery of Modern Art (Galleria d'Arte Moderna di Milano) is located in the luxurious villa of Belgioioso. Among the inhabitants of the city, this building is better known as the Villa Bonaparte. At the beginning of the XIX century. the house was donated to Napoleon. It was here that in 1849 the signing of the "Milan Peace", an important Austrian-Lombard document for the city, took place.

The gallery's collection occupies 2 floors and has 2700 paintings and sculptures. Here you will see the work of such masters as Pablo Picasso, Amedeo Modigliani, Auguste Renoir, Henri Matisse, Claude Monet and others.

Be sure to stroll through the garden that surrounds the villa. In the center of it is an elegant pond, and the ruins of medieval buildings are scattered across the territory.

Entrance to the villa is free. Address: Villa Reale, Via Palestro, 16, Milano. Website: gam-milano.com.

Museum Poldi Pezzoli

Ancient weapons and armor at the Poldi Pezzoli Museum, mbell1975

The Poldi Pezzoli Museum (Museo Poldi-Pezzoli) is one of the richest and most interesting museums in Europe, the collection of which was previously private. The collection presents works of art, jewelry, ancient weapons and armor, Flemish tapestries, Persian carpets, Renaissance furniture, antique ceramics, Venetian glass.

The museum building is the former mansion of Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli, whose architectural ensemble harmoniously combines elements of the Renaissance, Rococo and Gothic.

Address: Via Manzoni, 12, Website: museopoldipezzoli.it.

Basilica of St. Ambrose

Basilica of St. Ambrose, photo by Paolo Longoni

The second largest temple in the city is the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio (Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio) - one of the oldest Christian churches, built in 379-386, a vivid example of Italian Romanesque architecture. The relics of St. Ambrosia, there are the graves of several Italian kings and the tomb of the Roman commander Stilicho (IV century), a unique gilded altar with scenes of the life of Jesus (IX century) has been preserved, admire the golden mosaic in the chapel of San Vittore.

Address: Piazza Sant'Ambrogio, 15,20123 Milano. Website: basilicasantambrogio.it.

Basilica of St. Eustorgius

Basilica of Sant'Eustorgio, photo by Marie-Hélène Cingal

Basilica of Sant'Eustorgio (Basilica di Sant'Eustorgio) - the church with the highest bell tower in the city, a place of pilgrimage. Today, there is only a small fragment of the relics of the “Three Kings” that brought gifts to the born Jesus.

The first church on this site was erected in the 4th century. Fragments of the foundation can be seen in the crypt. In the XI century. the temple was rebuilt in the Romanesque style, only the apse was preserved from it. Of particular interest are the Renaissance chapels.

Address: Piazza Sant'Eustorgio 1. Website: santeustorgio.it.

Church of St. Bernardine on the Bones

Chapel of the Basilica of San Bernardino alle Ossa, photo by StewieVoodoo

The Church of San Bernardino alle Ossa (Chiesa di San Bernardino alle Ossa) was built in the Renaissance style. It is interesting for its crypt chapel, decorated with skulls and human bones. The bones belong to patients who died in a church hospital, church officials and prisoners in city prisons, who were buried in a hospital cemetery and then reburied in a chapel. But the locals love to tell that these are the bones of Christians killed by heretical Arians.

Address: Via Verziere, 2.

Church of Santa Maria Presso San Satiro

Apse in the church of Santa Maria Presso San Satiro, photo @@@@@

The Church of Santa Maria Presso San Satiro (Chiesa di Santa Maria presso San Satiro) was built in 1472 - 1482 by architects Donato Bramante and Giovanni Antonio Amadeo. Pay attention to the apse. It seems that the columns go deep about 10 meters. But this is an optical illusion. In fact, the apse is almost flat, 90 centimeters.

Address: Via Torino, 17-19, 20123 Milano.

Church of San Gottardo

Bell Tower of St. Gottardo, photo by David & Bonnie

Near the Duomo is the Church of San Gottardo (Chiesa di San Gottardo in Corte). It is small, but with a high bell tower, which is visible from Cathedral Square. The church is made of red brick, which is not typical for Milanese architecture,

The bell tower (campanile delle Ore) of St. Gottardo was built in the XIV century. in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. A clock is installed on it, which is considered the first tower clock. Columns and arches on the tower are inherent in the neoclassical style. Pomposity, spiers, high arches, frame system - this is neo-Gothic. The windows are rounded on top and elongated.

Address: Via Francesco Pecorari.

Church of San Maurizio al Maggiore

Church of San Maurizio al Maggiore, photo This is Awkward

The Church of San Maurizio al Maggiore (Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero) is part of the Benedictine monastery complex. It was built in the XVI century, architects Gian Giacomo Dolchebuono and Giovanni Antonio Amadeo. San Maurizio is interesting for its interior. Inside the church is decorated with frescoes of Italian artists, it is even called the "Sistine Chapel" of Milan and Lombardy.

Address: Corso Magenta, 15.

Basilica of St. Lawrence

Church of San Lorenzo Maggiore, photo drm73photographie

The Temple of San Lorenzo Maggiore (Basilica di San Lorenzo Maggiore) was erected in the 4th century. memory of st. Lawrence. Dome and upper part in the 16th century were rebuilt, but the general architectural solution, the Romanesque bell tower of the XII century, the baptistery remained from the original temple. In the chapel of St. Aquilina preserved late antique mosaics.

Address: Corso di Porta Ticinese, 39, 20100 Milano.

Gates of Ticinese

Porta Ticinese

Porta Ticinese was built in the 12th century and rebuilt in the 19th. This is part of the fortress wall, an outstanding example of neoclassical architecture. The gates today are massive columns topped with a tympanum. Porta Ticinese translates as "Gateway to Ticino." Ticino is a river crossing the Po Valley.

Address: Piazza XXIV Maggio, Milano.

Pirelli Tower

Pirelli skyscraper, photo hartan2013

A modern landmark of the city is the Pirelli skyscraper (Grattacielo Pirelli) (1956-1960). Its height is 127 meters, 32 floors. The tower belongs to the leading tire manufacturer - concern Pirelli.

Traditionally, no building in Milan can exceed the height of the statue of the Madonna in the Cathedral. Therefore, on the Pirelli tower there is a copy of it, but 85 cm high - instead of the original 4 m.

Address: Piazza Duca D'Aosta, 1, Milano.

Giuseppe Meazza Stadium

San Siro, photo by Stefano Bruzzone

The Giuseppe Meazza Stadio, the old name of San Siro, is Milan's sporting attraction. It was built in 1925 and belongs to two sports clubs - “Milan” (“Rossoneri” (black and red), as players are called by the color of their uniforms) and “Inter” (“nerazzurri” (black and blue)). The teams alternately hold home meetings at the stadium, and their fans hate each other fiercely.

In the arena of San Siro, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Depeche Mode, U2, Rolling Stones and others performed.

In the afternoon, excursions from gate number 14 are held around the stadium. You will be shown a museum, a stadium, a conference room and team changing rooms. The company store sells souvenirs with football symbols.

Address: Piazzale Angelo Moratti, 20151 Milano. Website: sansiro.net.

Mercanti Square

Piazza dei Mercanti, photo by Greierasul

Mercanti Square (Piazza dei Mercanti), merchants, is Milan's oldest square. Here we see today most of the medieval buildings, such as the loggia de Uzzia of white and black marble; Gothic house of Panigarola, from the XV century. served as a registration chamber; The Palace of Legal Advisers (XVI century) with the tower of the Commune, on which the statue of King Philip II rose, later - the statue of Brutus, with the advent of the Austrians - St. Ambrose. The main attraction of the square is the Town Hall building.

Monument to the Middle Finger

Monument to the Middle Finger

The Monument to the Middle Finger (Statua del Dito Medio) flaunts next to the Milan Stock Exchange - the most scandalous, pretentious and impudent work of modern art. The sculpture is placed on a seven-meter pedestal and represents a marble fist 4 m high with the middle finger raised up, facing the financial tycoons, there are no other fingers, they are chopped off. Officially, the monument is called "L.O.V.E.", how to decipher this abbreviation is known only to the author Maurizio Cattelan, a Venetian from New York.

The sculpture was made for the Milan exhibition "Against Ideology" and was supposed to stand for 2 days. But you can still see this masterpiece. Probably, the Milanese, who are used to spending money on fashionable things, liked the idea of ​​sending financiers.

By the way, if you decide to look at a monument of modern art, then pay attention to the building of the stock exchange, built in 1808 at the behest of Eugene de Beauharnais - vice-king of Italy and stepson Napoleon.

Address: Piazza degli Affari, 20123 Milano.

Needle, thread and knot

Needle, thread and knot, photo albolm911

The sculptural composition "A needle, thread and a knot" (Ago, filo e nodo) flashes the earth near the metro station Cadorna. It was built by order of the city in 2000 by the spouses-architects van Bruggen and Oldenburg made of fiberglass and steel in the colors of the Milan metro. You will not pass by a huge needle 18 m high and 1 m wide with a red-yellow-green thread 80 m long and a knot 3 m wide that extends to the other end of the square.

The art object was to represent the industriousness and talent of the Milanese. But most perceived it as a symbol of the "Capital of Fashion."

Address: Piazzale Luigi Cadorna.

Interesting moments in history

Historians suggest that the Celtic settlement, which became the forerunner of Milan, arose in the valley of the Lambro and Olona rivers 600 years BC. In 222, the territory was captured by the Romans, calling it Mediolanus. The heyday and growth of the welfare of the city began in the IV century. In 1162, Milan lost its independence, was captured by the army of the Roman Empire.

The city received new privileges in 1183, according to the conditions of the "Constance Peace". Economic preferences helped him again become the richest city of medieval Europe. The epidemic of the plague of the XV century passed Milan. The period of rule of the Spanish branch of the Habsburgs was marked for the city by the fall of the economy and culture. The revival began again after 1714. Milan became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861 (before which it was annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia).

During the years of World War II, the city was subjected to massive bombing and was seriously destroyed. Modern streets arose in the post-war period, when many quarters had to be rebuilt. The architecture of Milan's buildings is dominated by gray and brown tones. The city is mostly built of dark stone; on bad days, many of its streets look cold and gloomy.

Milan is the fashionable capital of the world

Since the seventies of the XX century, Milan gradually became a trendsetter, and in the nineties it was officially recognized as the Fashion Capital of the World.

Golden quadrangle

Golden Quadrilateral Quarter

A commercial attraction in Milan is the Golden Quadrangle (Quadrilatero della Moda - Quadrilatero della moda). Here are collected shops and sewing workshops of leading Italian designers. The windows of the quarter are decorated with the brands Ferragamo and Valentino, Armani, Versace and Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, and other well-known brands.

Gallery Vittorio Emmanuele II

Gallery Vittorio Emmanuele II

The gallery Vittorio Emanuele II (Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II) should visit every shopaholic. This is an alley of boutiques where they sell expensive items from the collections of fashion houses, one of the first European passages.

The shops of many iconic fashion houses are on Via Montenapoleone and Via Sant 'Andrea. The huge Armani boutique is located on Via Alessandro Manzoni. In the north-eastern part of the city, near the Central Station, on Corso Buenos Aires, mass-class stores are represented: Zara, Promod, Sisley, Nadine, Benetton, Luisa Spagnoli and others. Connoisseurs of original fashion concepts aspire to the Ingrosso area - extravagant designer models are sold there. There are large shopping centers in all parts of the city.

The segment of economy shopping is represented by many outlets. The most popular of these is Serravalle, a trading town a hundred kilometers from Milan. Luxury items, representing the pride of the collections of past seasons, are sold here at huge discounts - up to 70%.

Transport

Download Milan Transport Scheme

Public transport in the capital of Lombardy has a well-developed network operated by the ATM transport company and includes buses, trams, subways, commuter trains and taxis. Tickets for all modes of transport are uniform.

How to get from Bergamo airport to the center of Milan, I wrote here.

How to get from Linate Airport to the center of Milan - here.

How to get from Malpensa airport to Milan, read here.

Read more about Milan:

Outlets of Milan

How to get from Bergamo Airport to Milan

How to get from Linate Airport to Milan

How to get from Malpensa Airport to Milan

Taxi in Milan

Transport in Milan

What to see in the surroundings

Lake Garda

The pearl of Milan's environs is Lake Como (Lago di Como). This mountain glacial lake is recognized as the deepest in Europe (up to 420 m). Como extends into tectonic depressions between cliffs and forests; it is surrounded by pomegranate groves, vineyards, subtropical thickets. Around the lake are beautiful Mediterranean villas of the 18th-19th centuries.

Another nearby lake, Garda (Lago di Garda), is surrounded by several parks of natural landscapes. There is also a children's adventure park - "Gardaland".

In Monza you can see the iconic object of motor sports - the track "Formula 1". In the town itself, medieval architectural monuments have been preserved, museums have been opened.

The province of Bergamo is 40 km from Milan. Here you can visit the "fairy park" - the entertainment complex "Minitalia-Leolandia".

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