Milan, Italy - Travel Guide

Milan Duomo, Gothic Duomo Cathedral Milan, Italy

Milan Duomo, Gothic Duomo Cathedral Milan, Italy
The Castello Sforzesco, held successively by the Viscontis and the Sforzas, was built in 1368, demolished by the people of Milan in 1447 and rebuilt from 1450 onwards. The Torre de Filarete, on the nearside (70m/231ft high), is a reproduction (1905) of the original gate-tower.

History
The street plan of Milan, with streets either radiating from the Duomo or circling it, indicates that the Duomo occupied the most important site in the ancient Roman city of Mediolanum.

Saint Ambrose built a new basilica on this site at the beginning of the 5th century, with an adjoining basilica added in 836. When fire damaged both buildings in 1075, they were rebuilt as the Duomo.

In 1386 the archbishop, Antonio da Saluzzo, began the new project in a rayonnant Late Gothic style that is more characteristic of France than Italy. Work proceeded for generations.

The main spire was topped in 1762 with a polychrome statue of the Madonna, to whom the Duomo and its predecessor have always been dedicated.

Even now, some uncarved blocks remain to be turned into sculpture. Gothic construction on the rest of the Duomo was largely complete in the 1880s.

The Duomo was recently under major renovations and cleaning for several years, obscuring the west front with scaffolding. Works were finally completed in 2009, revealing the newly-cleaned facade in all its glory.

Exterior
The Duomo of Milan blurs the distinction between Gothic and neo-Gothic, for the Gothic west front was begun in 1616 and completed 200 years later. Only in its details does it reveal its Baroque and Neo-Classical date. From 1900 some of the less Gothic details of the facade were replaced in a true Gothic style, to designs of Giuseppe Brentano.

The roofline dissolves into openwork pinnacles that are punctuated by a grove of spires, topped with statues that overlook the city. The main spire is 109 meters high. These can all be investigated up close on a breathtaking walk on the roof.

The huge building is made of brick faced with marble from the quarries that Gian Galeazzo Visconti donated in perpetuity to the cathedral chapter.
Interior

The cathedral's five wide naves are reflected in the hierarchic openings of the facade. Even the transepts have aisles. The great windows of the choir are reputed to be the largest in the world.

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Castello Sforzesco Fountain, Milan, Italy

Castello Sforzesco, Milan, ItalyCastello Sforzesco (Sforza Castle) has a long history and is actually the second palace on the site. The first castle was built by the Visconti family but was demolished in the mid 15th century after their reign ended. The new Renaissance palace was built by Francesco Sforza.

The Castello Sforzesco, held successively by the Viscontis and the Sforzas, was built in 1368, demolished by the people of Milan in 1447 and rebuilt from 1450 onwards. The Torre de Filarete, on the nearside (70m/231ft high), is a reproduction (1905) of the original gate-tower.

Today the castle is a home of Pinacoteca del Castello Sforzesco. It has a fine collection of musical instruments, furniture, prints and paintings and Michelangelo’s unfinished sculpture Rondanini Pietà.

Parco Sempione (Sempione Park) was once part of the Visconti estate, a hunting reserve complementing Castello Sforzesco. Today the land is a public park designed as an English Garden in 1890 by Emilio Alemagna. The park has a lake, a water fountain and lots of monuments, one of which is a statue of Napoleon III designed by Francesco Barzaghi.

Where is Castello Sforzesco: Piazza Castello
How to get to Castello Sforzesco: By Metro to Cairoli, Cadorna or Lanza stations
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9AM to 5:30PM

Castello Sforzesco, Milan, Italy

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - Milan, Italy

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - Milan, ItalyThe Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is the oldest shopping mall in Italy, housed within a four-storey double arcade in central Milan. The Galleria is named after Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of the Kingdom of Italy.
Right in the heart of Milan, right between Duomo and La Scala Theatre, there is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II built between 1860 and 1870. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is another monument for King who unified Italy, as Rome Vittorio Emmanuele monument is enormous. May be called the shopping mall, but is very stylish. Found very high ceiling is made of iron and glass domes.

Gallery was designed by Giuseppe Megnoni who unfortunately died just before the building ends, after a fall from scaffolding. Today the Gallery attracts a lot of Italians and tourists alike, who come to shop, to eat and drink or just to stroll and admire the luxury shops. Because it performs multiple International Teams, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, has been called the Milan Chamber of life.

This is the best place to promenade which can be seen most elegant Italian, where you can enjoy an ice cream or where you can admire the mosaic on the ceiling of the octagonal courtyard representing Europe, Asia, Africa and America or mosaics representing the ends of corridors Agriculture, Science, Art and Industry.
Construction started: 1865
Opened: 1877
Function: Commercial
Architect: Giuseppe Mengoni