Apr 15, 2020
Milan
Milan is among the most populated metropolitan areas in Italy. The area has had human settlements as early as 200 BC and served as the seat of the Western Roman Empire. Modern-day Milan is an eclectic mix of historical architecture and skyscrapers.
Milan Cathedral
The epitome of Italian Gothic architecture. Milan Cathedral is an absolutely humongous yet gorgeous building. The scale and beauty, for lack of better words, blows you away. Construction began in 1386 and officially finished only in 1965. That is 600 years to build it, but it somehow does not seem like a lot when you look at the incredible amount of stuff that is in there: towers, painted glasses, statues of biblical scenes and gargoyles, the list is endless. The city of Milan is synonymous with this structure.
Piazza Duomo
Should ideally be the starting point in the Milan tour. This immense open public space has the Cathedral, Galleria Vittorio and Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (the one with Da Vinci’s The Last Supper) all in close proximity. The centre of the square has a large statue of Vittorio Emmanuel — the first king of united Italy (who also lends his name to the Galleria right by its side).
Galleria Vittorio Emmanuel
Resembles more a palace or an opera house, but is actually one of the world’s first shopping arcades created in 1877 by Giuseppe Mengoni. The walls and shop fronts have ornate stucco artwork and host the likes of Prada, Versace and other such brands that you can’t afford. Definitely not the place for bargains.
In the centre of the Galleria, the ground has mosaics portraying the coat of arms of the four capitals of the Kingdom of Italy — Turin, Florence, Rome and Milan.
Castello Sforzesco
A huge 15th-century castle close to the Cathedral. It was created in 1370 as a symbol of power and status. The front has a huge brick wall and tower, with interesting decorations. There are numerous small exhibits inside containing tidbits on the history of the castle and Milan.
Parco Sempione
A large public garden that sits behind the Sforzesco Castle, that has many walking trails, bike trails along with the odd statue and fountain. Throw in some street music performances, and it seems like all of Milan comes here to spend a leisurely evening.
At one end of the park is the Arch of Peace, built In 1807, under the Napoleonic rule, by Luigi Cagnola. Built in neoclassical style, it is decorated with a number of bas-reliefs and states depicting major events in the history of Italy and Europe.
Santa Maria del Suffragio
The church dates back to 1577, and the archbishop of Milan Carlo Borromeo who dedicated the parish to the cult of Santa Maria Nascente. The front facade has a depiction of Madonna enthroned with the Child.
San Siro
The location is a bit far off from the centre, but there was no way I was leaving Milan without visiting the San Siro. While the Milan clubs — Inter and AC Milan, have fallen on hard times of late, I can’t think of many stadiums that have witnessed more history than this one. This is where Kaka once wowed the world with his magical feet.
Navigli
Constructed originally in 1177, the canal has seen many changes over the years. Today it is one of the centres of Milanese Movida (nightlife). The waterfront and trails, with a variety of eateries, make it perfect for ending a day in this city.
Like most Italian cities, Milan is wonderful to walk around. While the city is much more spread out, it doesn’t seem like a big issue with a very efficient public transport network. There is also a huge student population, adding to the vibe.
Tip: If one has plans for Milan, it would be wise to book tickets to see The Last Supper painting at the Santa Maria delle Grazie well beforehand, because the queues go quite long. The lines are a hassle though, and if the time on your hand is limited, it might be worth reconsidering how much you want to devote to seeing just a painting.
