Seated at the top of the boot, Milan is one of Italy’s northernmost epicenters of culture and history, just a short drive from the stunning Italian Alps. The city has it all, from arts to architecture, food to fashion. There’s something for everyone in Milan.
Duomo di Milano
With construction spanning over six centuries, the Duomo di Milano is the centerpiece of Milan. Its stained-glass windows, tall spires, and intricate sculptures make it a perfect example of Gothic architecture. As the largest church in the Italian republic, it is still actively holding services and is the current home to the Archbishop of Milan Mario Delpini. At the time of its inception, over three hundred craftsmen and employees helped with its construction, with architectural hands later changing to Frenchman Nicolas de Bonaventure, from whom much of its French Gothic influence originated. The Piazza del Duomo in which it is situated is a bustling intersection of tourists and locals, gazing at the Duomo or making their way to other parts of the city via the many streets and alleyways that branch off from the Piazza.
Castello Sforzesco
Once a fortification for the Visconti noblemen (1358), the Castello Sforzesco was destroyed by the Golden Ambrosia Republic, formed by scholars of the University of Pavia after the death of the Duke of Milan. The castle was rebuilt by Francesco Sforza and later restored from 1890-1905 by Luca Beltrami. Several notable artists contributed to the decor of the structure including Leonardo da Vinci. Today, it holds a number of museums and galleries including The Museum of Ancient Art, the Museum of Musical Instruments, and the Antique Furniture and Wooden Sculpture Museum among others.
I Navigli
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Sign up to our Free Weekly NewsletterNavigli, which means ‘canal’, is a neighborhood in the southwest part of Milan. This artsy section of town is situated on the remaining canals that once encircled the city and were constructed in the 12th-century, serving many purposes from irrigation to defense. Many visitors enjoy strolling along the water at night, taking part in the bustling nightlife, restaurant scene, and many bars and cafes along the sidewalks and even on docked boats and barges. Navigli is easy to reach by foot from the city center or by way of the metro. In addition to evening activities, a visit to the many art shops, galleries, and historical sites make for a full day.
Brera District
Perhaps one of the most elegant and upscale neighborhoods in Milan, the Brera District is as quaint as it is luxurious. Part of the Centro Storico District, it was once a cleared stretch of land outside the city used for military purposes. Now a destination for art connoisseurs and ritzy restaurant-goers, its cobbled streets, boutiques, and galleries draw visitors from all walks. Brera is the home of 15th-century Santa Maria del Carmine Church along with the Academy of Fine Arts, the National Gallery of Ancient and Modern Art, and the city’s Botanical Garden. Visitors can attend a craft market held every third Sunday of the month.
Milano Centrale
The primary rail station of Milan, the Milano Centrale sees three-hundred and twenty-thousand passengers per day. It is Italy’s second largest station with twenty-four platforms traveling to both local and international destinations. Its design is a combination of several styles with a beautiful glass and metal arch over the tracks, and a two-hundred-meter-wide facade. Opened in the 1930s, the building was once described by Frank Lloyd Wright as “the most beautiful station in the world.”
Arco della Pace
Originally constructed in 1807 by architect Luigi Cagnola, the Arco della Pace, or “Arch of Peace”, was erected to celebrate the war victories of Napoleon. It wasn’t completed before his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, however, and when finished, served as a tribute to the peace treaties signed at the Congress of Vienna. Standing at twenty-five meters tall, the arch can’t be missed situated in the Piazza Sempione. Its Corinthian columns and granite and marble arch are topped with several distinctive statues: the Chariot of Peace in the center by Abbondio Sangiorgio and the Victories on Horseback on either side by Giovanni Putti.
Santa Maria delle Grazie
A Dominican convent and site of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, the Santa Maria delle Grazie was originally begun by architect Guiniforte Solari as requested by the Duke of Milan Francesco Sforza. While there is speculation over who later completed the design, architects Donato Bramante and Giovanni Antonio Amadeo both contributed. An explosion destroyed much of the refectory in World War 2 but restoration efforts have preserved both The Last Supper and much of the original building’s glory.
