The industrial heart of Italy, Milan or Milano, does not have the outward or obvious beauty of some Italian cities that can easily win over your heart. However, give it a chance and Milan is a northern Italian hub that will reveal itself to those who want to discover it. Milan is Italy’s fashion-obsessed metropolis and is packed with culture, combining style and substance. Thanks to its international appeal and becoming a financial center, new restaurants of diverse cuisines are popping up all over the city to satiate an ever-expanding professional population. The best places to see in Milan feature what this place is all about, a true cultural mecca. Here are 6 places to introduce you to Italy’s industrial city:
Duomo
If you only have time to see one place in Milan this would be it. Milan’s impressive Duomo is the largest Gothic Cathedral in Italy and the third-largest Gothic Cathedral in Europe. It’s the most recognizable site in the city’s skyline. The Duomo showcases countless impressive architectural details both inside and out. The exterior is lined with thousands of intricate statues depicting both religious figures and stories from the Bible. Inside the massive church, you'll see more statues, towering marble columns, gilded ceilings, stained glass windows, and numerous paintings. One of the most unique features of the Duomo is the accessible roof. You can admire the Duomo's spires up close, gazing at the piazza below.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II is the first ever shopping mall in Europe built in 1915. Today, it houses the flagship stores of many iconic brands, like Prada and Armani. You can also find lower-end clothing shops and bookstores filled with fashion literature. There are also a small handful of chic restaurants and cafes. Whatever your budget, the mall's glorious architecture, beautiful paintings, and intricate floor tiles are worth a visit.
The Last Supper
Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting, "The Last Supper," sits inside Milan's Santa Maria delle Grazie church. The moving painting beautifully displays the moment that Jesus Christ tells his apostles that one of them will betray him. It is a piece of art that has endured history. "The Last Supper" managed to survive a World War II bomb raid. Although the painting has been restored, it continues to deteriorate because of da Vinci’s painting technique. In addition to the painting, it's Santa Maria's delle Grazie’s pristine Renaissance architecture that earned the church the distinction of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Teatro alla Scala
La Scala is Milan’s world-famous opera. The theater opened on August 3, 1778 and was built for Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. In the past 200 years, Italy’s most outstanding opera artists and many of the best singers from all over the world have appeared in La Scala. The luxurious interior and impressive performers will take you back in time to the golden age of entertainment. The theater opens its season each year on December the 7th, the same day as the feast of Milan’s patron saint, Saint Ambrose.
Navigli District
One of Milan’s most popular neighborhoods is Navigli, which means canals. There are only two main waterways remaining in Milan, Naviglio Grande and Naviglio Pavese. The area between them and their meeting point, the Darsena, is the epicenter of his lively neighborhood. If you come to Navigli during the day, it will be calm compared to the hustle and bustle of the rest of the city. Once the work day is over, locals flock to the canal-side bars, which have become a hub of the city’s aperitivo culture. Do as the Milanese do to unwind after work. You can also catch beautiful sunsets over Naviglio Grande, where you can watch the colors blend into their reflections in the canal.
Brera District
(Photo Credit: wheremilan.com)
The elegant and old-school charm of the Brera neighborhood makes it one of the most chic parts of Milan. The main attraction of the area is itself and the most authentically Italian thing you can do is give yourself the time to wander through its picturesque streets. You’ll find locals and tourists alike stopping for a coffee or an aperitivo in one of its squares. Don’t miss the Pinacoteca in the heart of the neighborhood and the beating artistic heart of the city. This historic gallery allows visitors to admire the restoration and storage of works not currently on full display through the glass walls in the gallery. For a more authentic taste of Milanese cuisine, you’ll find it on Corso Garibaldi. If you follow along the street, you’ll encounter great nightlife spots for aperitivo and late-night drinks.
Arianna DiCicco
Arianna DiCicco is an educator and writer from California, born into an Italian American restaurant family with strong ties to her grandparents’ home in Abruzzo, Italy. She has lived in San Francisco, Rome and New York City where she’s made deep connections within the Italian communities and gained new perspectives about her own culture. With a Masters in International Education, Arianna has a love and passion for learning and educating others about Italian history & culture.