Design and fashion capital of the world...
Fashion, finance, food and football - all
synonymous with the sophisticated and stylish city of Milan. The
world’s design and fashion capital, Milan is also home to the
Italian stock exchange and most of the country’s important
corporations are headquartered here.
One of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world – the Duomo – dominates Milan’s central square, the Piazza del Duomo. More than 500 years in the making (work began in 1386), it is an intricate and awe-inspiring building and a tribute to the five centuries of artists, artisans, architects, builders and engineers who created it. Climb up to the roof for a stunning view over Milan. The Galleria Vitorrio Emanuele II, to the north of the lively Piazza del Duomo, is one of the world’s most elegant shopping malls. Designed by Giuseppe Mengoni in 1878, it is a vast, glass-roofed arcade and was one of the first buildings in Europe to use iron and glass as structural elements. It houses stylish cafés, restaurants and shops.
Lively, elegant, awe-inspiring...
Walk through the Galleria to the Teatro alla Scala or the La Scala opera house as it is usually known. It first opened in 1778 and was the scene of many famous operatic first nights throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Badly damaged in World War II, it reopened in 1946 and you can enjoy opera, theatre, ballet and concerts here year-round, except for during the month of August. The Pinacoteca di Brera on Via Brera is well worth a visit. It houses Andrea Mantegna’s The Dead Christ as well as paintings by Raphael, Bellini, Rembrandt, Goya and Caravaggio. One of the most famous frescoes in the world, Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, is housed in the Vinciano Refectory beside the Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie. The work has recently been painstakingly restored.
Milan is all about fashion, however, so make sure to window shop at least if you cannot afford the clothes! Head for Versace at Via Alessandro Manzoni 38 or pop around to Via San Andrea where you’ll find Prada, Fendi and Kenzo. The Via Monte Napoleone is home to Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Cartier and Ungaro. For less exclusive shops, head for the Via Torino or the Corso Buenos Aires. You can dine excellently and reasonably in Milan. Head for the many restaurants around the Navigli area or around the Stazione Centrale. Some of Italy’s best clubs are found in Milan. You’ll find them in the Brera, Navigli and Porta Ticinese areas. Milan is world famous for its football teams – AC Milan and Inter Milan. They play on alternate Sundays at the San Siro stadium and are well worth catching.
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