Milan is a very elegant and discreet city. This is the way she communicates her winning spirit to the world. One of the most vibrant cities in Italy, with a European soul and a roaring character, typical of those places in the world that, without shouting too much, dictate the law in terms of style and trends. A modern city, but with its flowery railings exposed to the sun, the ones where the vines decided to make a home and the plaster of the palaces resists despite the passing of time.
Milan is such an intriguing city, rich in history, that it leaves you completely fascinated.
Contemporary art at the 20th-century Museum in Milan
Focused on masterpieces of the 20th century, the Museum of the 20th century in Milan brings together extraordinary works such as the “Quarto Stato” by Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo or the portraits by Modigliani: masterpieces that will make your visit a true dip in beauty! On the top floor of the museum, you can enjoy a unique view of the Duomo, a must-see.
There are many “Duomo Squares” in Italy, but Milan’s is the quintessential square! The Gothic profile of its Cathedral, with its high towers and the surprising number of statues that decorate its beautiful facade, leaves anyone speechless. Its construction, which began in 1386 and lasted more than six centuries, was commissioned by the lord of Milan as a symbol of the city's strength and grandeur. The Cathedral is the largest Gothic building in the world, and it is possible to walk on its roof and enjoy an unforgettable view of the city and the mountains.
Curiosities not to be missed when visiting the Duomo:
Look for your zodiac sign on the Duomo floor;
One of Christ's crucifixion nails is preserved in the Cathedral;
The only church in the world with a fully walkable roof;
Look for statues that already existed before America was discovered.
On one of the sides that close off Duomo Square, is the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The Gallery has an elegant style that dates back to the mid-19th century style, with shops on the sides to attract and captivate passersby. Everything here exudes luxury, there is even a 7-star hotel inside, unique in the world. A pleasant walk, among elegant cafes, antique shops, and boutiques of the biggest international brands, is something you cannot miss when visiting the gallery.
Nicknamed "the temple of the opera", Milan's Teatro alla Scala is located just a few steps from Piazza Duomo and it can be said without exaggeration that it is one of the most famous art places in the world. Opened in 1778, the Scala in Milan has a very complex and fascinating history, which emerges from every corner of its immense hall, and dancers of the caliber of Carla Fracci and important voices such as those of Pavarotti and Maria Callas performed on this stage.
Even if you're not an opera fan, attending a show at La Scala is an unforgettable experience.
The Brera Art Gallery is a beautiful complex, born as a convent in the 14th century and today it houses one of the most beautiful collections in the city, with works by Rubens, Rembrandt, and Milanese authors, but above all paintings such as: “The Marriage of the Virgin”, by Raphael and the incredible “Cristo Scurto” (the dead Christ) by Mantegna. To visit the Art Gallery of Brera in an exhaustive way takes a whole day. In case you take a shorter route and focus only on the most famous works, be sure to visit the "Transparent Laboratory" of restoration, it is a real showcase, through which visitors can witness the restoration process of some works live!
With seven centuries of history, the Sforzesco Castle in Milan is a fascinating and particularly significant place in relation to the city and its history. The Castle was initially built as a defensive fortress by the Visconti family and later transformed into a Renaissance court by the Sforza. After World War II, the Castle was transformed into a precious collector of authentic masterpieces.
It could be due to the presence of exclusive neighborhoods like Brera or Montenapoleone, or maybe due to its innate ability to welcome new trends and transform them into successful realities, the fact is that during each Milan Fashion Week a new page in the history of Italian fashion and not Italian is written.
When the spotlights on the catwalks go out and the shows are just the trends to follow for the next season, the passion for fashion doesn't go away. Designers and stylists feed the desire to create new styles and do so in a unique way of expression and in tune with the times. They are the most creative souls in Milan, those capable of creating clothes and accessories by combining fabrics and materials of different types, and taking the “Quadrilatero della moda” area as a reference point. Small craft workshops, large boutiques, and refined showrooms succeed one another in this part of the city, loved and celebrated in Italy and abroad.
Via Montenapoleone, via della Spiga, via Manzoni, and corso Venezia, this is where the boutiques and ateliers of the most famous names in world fashion await you. The symbolic streets of the fashion district are famous all over the world. The elegance and class with which the windows of the boutiques and showrooms are set up a win over Italians and foreigners who come to Milan to observe the creations of the best-known brands.
The streets of the Fashion District don't just offer exclusive boutiques frequented by wealthy customers. In via Sant'Andrea, in the heart of the district, a small treasure is hidden, among the rooms of Palazzo Morando you can visit the “Costume Fashion Image” a collection of historical and contemporary costumes that were previously kept in Castello Sforzesco. Visiting the palace means going through the history and evolution of Italian fashion, in the palace corridors, you can closely observe the clothes worn in the past by the inhabitants of Milan, belonging to different social classes.
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