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Milan, located in picturesque Northern Italy, was established
around 400 BC after the Gauls overcame the Etruscans and named it Mediolanum. The
Romans conquered the area in 222 BC and in 15 BC it became the Western Roman
Empire’s capital. It was in Milan that Emperor Constantine I proclaimed The Edict
of Milan in 313 AD, announcing religious tolerance for the Christian religion in
the Roman Empire.
The Goths displaced the Romans and
christened the land Mailand, the land of spring. In 6th-century AD
the Lombards seized control leading to the name, Lombardy, to the region. During the Italian
Renaissance, 1300-1499, the city became a cultural draw. In 1535 two-hundred
years of Spanish rule began. When Italy became a kingdom in the 19th-century
Milan again became the cultural capital and has remained so. www.turismo.milano.it
Milan is definitely tourism ready
and there are a variety of ways to stretch your Euros. My most important tip is
to exchange a limited amount of dollars because 99% of the venues take credit
cards. This will also help you keep track of your spending.
CitySightSeeing Milano, Milano Hop
On Hop Off, has three routes that you can travel for two days. The routes are
interconnected and themed to history, sports, and modern architecture. The
double-decker bus takes you to within walking distance of more than 30 of the
most significant sites and free WIFI is available on board.
www.city-sightseeing.it/it/milano
The transit system in the city is
expansive, clean, safe and convenient. A 24-hour pass costs 4.50 euros and is
good for a short stay. The MilanPass is comprehensive and covers
transportation, museums, attractions, sightseeing and restaurant discounts. The
pass costs 69 euros with a 400 euro value. www.themilanpass.com
The red brick Sforzesco Castle, originally a fortress,
was constructed in 1358-68. It has served many functions, including as a private
residence, and now houses several museums. A highlight of the collection is
Michelangelo’s final sculpture, the “Pietà Rondanini”.
Milan was an early religious center
and some sites remain. The Lombard Romanesque Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, St.
Ambrose is the patron saint of Milan, was constructed in the 300s as was the Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore, the
oldest church in the city. San Lorenzo is also the location of 16 marble
Corinthian columns from the Roman Era. It was built in an octagonal shape atop
a Roman amphitheater.
The Quadrilatero della Moda is the
area with the iconic Duomo at its heart. This is the most historic section of
the city. The Milan Cathedral , the Duomo,
the world’s 5th largest
cathedral, dates from 1386 and was built over a 500-year period. This
architectural marvel boasts 132 marble spires, more than 3,000 statues and the
Madonnia atop the tallest spire covered in 3,900 pieces of gold leaf. It is one
of the world’s largest Gothic churches at 514-ft. long and 301-ft. at its
widest. Inside there are 52 pillars, one for each week of the year. The 4th-century
baptistery is also on view. Tours include the cathedral interior, museum,
archeological area and rooftop terraces with a view of the Alps. This was the
site of Versace’s funeral. Tickets should be purchased online prior to your
visit. www.duomomilano.it/en
Adjacent to the Duomo is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele ii, a
pedestrian promenade beneath vaulted glass arcades designed in 1865 by Giuseppe
Mengoni. Ironically Mengoni fell to his death from a scaffold just prior to the
Galleria’s opening. Trendy restaurants and designer boutiques line the
incredible mosaic flooring including Armani, Bulgari, Dolce &
Gabbana, Fendi, Ferragamo, Gucci, Prada, Valentino, Versace and Zegna. The
floor is designed to replicate a Latin cross. The floor mosaics include the
zodiac signs and it is said good luck is had by those who trod on Taurus the
Bull’s genitals.
One block from the galleria is La Scala Opera House and Museum. Founded
in 1778 it has presented performances by the world’s leading artists. Tours of
the museum include a special exhibit on Maria Callas, memorabilia from past
operas, costumes, portraits and an
opportunity to view the theater auditorium through a large window. Special note
should be taken of the gilded galleries and awesome chandelier. This is
Europe’s largest opera house and specialized tours are also offered.
www.teatroallascala.org/en
The Navigli District and Brera are two of the city’s most exciting
neighborhoods. Navigli is a canal district filled with dining and shopping
options. The canals were made navigable in the 1300s to haul the marble to
build the Duomo. Brera is a
vibrant artisan district that features exciting nightlife, dining and
entertainment. The major
public art gallery in Milan is the Pinacoteca di Brera. Its collection of
Italian artworks is formidable and includes Mantega’s “Dead Christ”. It is the
main public gallery for paintings in Milan, Italy and contains one of the
foremost collections of Italian paintings.
Leonardo da Vinci moved to Milan in 1482 under the patronage of Duke
Ludovico Sforza. He would remain there until 1499, completing The Last Supper
in 1498.Leonardo 3- The World of Leonardo da
Vinci is an exhibition that
includes interactive kiosks, reconstructions of his machines, codices,
paintings and drawings. Audio guided
tours bring Leonardo to life.
Santa Maria delle Grazie
showcases the original of “The Last Supper”. It is on the wall of the monastery’s dining room. It was painted
between 1496-98 and was restored over 20 years. On the opposite wall is Giovanni
Donato da Montorfano’s, “The Crucifixion”, painted in 1495. Leonardo’s work is not
a traditional fresco, he applied tempera directly onto the dry wall. Visitors
should purchase tickets prior to visiting online. Admission is controlled and viewings
last only 20-minutes. www.musement.com/us/milan/leonardo-s-last-supper
Fashion
Week leaves no doubt that Milan is the European Fashion Capital. Shows take place
throughout the city and historic sites are filled with trendsetters in cutting
edge attire. www.fashionweekdates.com
Milan is a
total destination but the city is also ideally situated for excursions to the
Alps, Verona, Florence, Rome, Lake Como and Turin. Turn your vacation into
something extraordinary.
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