GUIDES

Milan Guide

Milan - Out and About

Milan, a northern Italian city, stands in the centre of the large Lombardy plain, between the the Po, Adda and Ticino river valleys. Like many cities of its kind located on a plain, the city radiates out,in a regular pattern from its nucleus, the ancient city centre. This large and lively city is an important financial centre, a creative fashion workshop and a place rich in artistic and cultural sights. The Piazza del Duomo, is recognised as the official centre of the city. The square is flanked by a long line of porticoes and on the square's left side, the entrance to the Vittorio Emanuele II. The two Arengario buildings facing the gallery from across the square, indicate the access point to Piazza Diaz. The irregular shaped square in front of the Royal Palace stands to the left of the Arengario buildings. The palace, built in Neo-Classic style, is the site of the Duomo Museum, which houses numerous temporary art exhibitions. The Duomo is the symbol of the city. This Gothic monument, whose construction started in 1386 and finished in the 18th century, is topped by numerous spires and decorated with 3,159 statues. Other important Milanese buildings include the Ca' Granda (Ospedale Maggiore), the Archbishops Palace, which is accessible from Piazza Fontana, the churches of S.Stefano Maggiore, S.Antonio Abate and S.Nazaro Maggiore, the Paleo-christian basilica of San Lorenzo, the Roman basilica of S.Ambrogio, the churches of S. Eustorgio, S,Satiro, S.Nazarro and S.Celso. The Castello Sforzesco, stands out among the city's many Renaissance buildings. The castle, built in 1368, is the site of the Civic Museum, dedicated to visual and applied art from the Medieval period to the 17th century, together with Paleo-Christian art and sections on ancient and Egyptian art.

The Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery is one of the traditional meeting points for the residents of Milan. The gallery links Piazza del Duomo with Piazza della Scala. Corso Vittorio Emmanuele II is a pedestrianized area and is flanked by elegant shops and cinemas. Corso Buenos Aires is the lively main street in one of the most populated districts in Milan and the city's most important business area. Via Montenapoleone, first opened in the 18th century, is the most luxurious street in the city, lined by Neo-classic buildings and the finest shops in Milan.

Milan is serviced by a wide public transport network, which allows the visitor to arrive at almost every corner of the city. Tickets are not sold on board but are available from newsagents or bars near the stops. Each ticket is valid for 75 minutes, during this time the ticket is valid for a single journey on the metropolitan or for all the journeys taken on the other forms of public transport during the 75 minute period. It is possible to tour the city by bus throughout the year. The service is organised by Autostradale. Tickets and timetables are available Tuesday to Sunday until 9:30pm from the APT information office in Arengario. Each tour lasts 3hours. the ticket price includes entrance to the Cenacolo Viciano and to the Pinacoteca in Brera. A typical 1920's tram, leaves Piazza Castello and takes passengers on a tour of the city every day at 11am 1pm and 3pm. It is possible to get on and off where you please. A recorded commentary is provided in a multitude of different languages. Boat trips along the Naviglio Grande, leave from Darsena every day at 9:30am and 3.30pm. On Saturday and Sunday the ticket price includes a walking tour of the courtyards near to the canal and an additional bus trip to visit the town of Abbiategrasso. Information about these trips is available from the APT office in Piazza Duomo.

Milan - Not to be missed

The Santa Maria delle Grazie is one of the most beautiful Renaissance churches in Milan. It was built between 1466 and 1490 in Lombardy-Gothic form by G.Solari and then modified by Bramante, who added the absidal part. The interior, with its three naves, owes its fascination above all to the Renaissance gallery built by Bramante, which is topped by a white dome, formed by four large arches , embellished by intricate carvings. Following on from the gallery, one passes into the cloisters, once again designed by Bramante. The famous Cenacolo Vinciano, painted by Leonardo, between 1495 and 1497, is on the far wall of the refectory of the ex- Dominican convent, to the left of the Delle Grazie church.

The Brera Pinacoteca occupies 40 rooms and constitutes one of the largest collections of Italian paintings, with works of art of supreme importance. Established at the end of the 17th century in order to collect samples for the students of the Academy, it opened in 1803 and subsequently separated from the Academy in 1882. Some of the major works include those of the Venetians, Lombards and Emiliani from the 14th and 15th century, together with the Central Italian painters from the 14th to the 16th century, Italian painters from the 16th and 17th century and the complete works of the Jesi Donation. The Ambrosiana Pinacoteca also houses splendid works of art, with paintings by Bergognone, Botticelli, Vivarini, Tiziano and Moroni. Not to mention the 'Musico' by Leonardo, the ' Madonna among the Saints' by Michele and Ambrogio del Bramantino, the cartoons from the school of Athens of Raffaello and the renown ' Canestra di Frutta' by Caravaggio.

The Poldi Pezzoli Museum, located in via Manzoni N° 12, is a typical Milan house- museum and serves as precious testament to the 18th flair for private collections. The collection is housed in 23 rooms and includes a collection of paintings from the 14th to the 19th century. The Bagatti Valsecchi Museum, in via S.Spirito 10, is another fine example of the 18th century taste for private collections.

Milan - Walks and tours

The recommended route for a tour outside Milan is that towards Brianza, a geographical area situated between the Pre-Alps, lakes and the river Ticino and Adda. The route is 120 km. long and starts from the town of Monza, continuing north to Meda and Inverigo. Further stages take the visitor to Oggiono, Monticello Brianza, Merate, Trezzo d'Adda, Crespi d'Adda and Cassano d'Adda.

Monza, with its beautiful historical centre, closed to traffic, has as its major cultural attraction the Duomo. This building stands on the ruin of the ancient Oracolum, built for the Longobard Queen Teodolinda in 595. The interior of the Duomo is built as a latin cross with three naves, divided by cylindrical and octagonal columns with Romanic capitals sculptured with mythical animals.

The side chapels, the two absidals and the vaults are covered completely with frescoes. The Teodolinda Chapel, covered with frescos by Zavattari, houses the Corona Ferrea (the iron crown), the precious jewel from the late Roman period, makes up part of the treasure housed in the Duomo Museum.

Monza's other two note-worthy churches are the church and Francescan convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, which is situated to the north-east of the centre, between the river Lambro and the road for Lecco, and the Santa Maria in Strada church, which takes its name from the 'Di Strada' zone, an ancient borough crossed by the main road which leads to Milan.

The Arengario (communal palace), built in the second half of the XII th Century is situated in the heart of the town and is the seat of Monza's government.

The Palazzo Comunale stands on an area which was once the towns market square, the ancient Pratum Magnum and where stands today Piazza Trento, Trieste and Piazza Carducci. The building is a fine example of architecture of the historic fascist period. Monza Park, with its river, villas, mills and Villa Reale, is located in Viale Brianza. The Villa Reale is a beautiful example of neoclassical architecture, built in 1777 for the empress Maria Teresa of Austria. The Villa, located inside the park, is surrounded by 40 hectares of English and Italian gardens. The gardens were initially built to the designs of Piermarini. The interior of the Villa houses, in addition to the royal apartments, the royal chapel, a small theatre, the Rotunda with Andrea Appiani frescoes, a museum and school of art. Trips to the lake region, north of the city, form part of the traditional tourist trip from Milan. Como is the closest of this lake to the city. The town is the nerve centre of the province of Como, where history, art and culture live side by side with industry and commerce in a setting framed by the unequalled beauty of the lake.

Visitors should take time to see the Duomo and the adjacent Broletto, which dates back to the 13th Century and the Sant'Abbondio Basilica. Using either the picturesque boats or the faster hydrofoils it is possible to participate in memorable trips on the lake. Bellagio, the aristocratic jewel of the lake, is surrounded by villas and gardens, stands at the centre of Lake Como, at the point where the two southern forks divide.

Milan - The traveller's notebook

Currency : Euro

Electric supply: 220 Volts, a two or three pin plug is used

Climate : Typical continental climate, with cold winters, dense and persistent fogs and very hot summers.

Opening hours : Shops are open from 9am to 2pm and from 4pm to 8pm, except Saturday and Sunday afternoon and the week period around the 15th of August. Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 1.20 pm and from 2:45pm to 3:45 pm. The post office and other offices are open Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 1:20pm. restaurants are open from 12:30 to 3.30pm and from 8pm to midnight.

Milan - A pocket guide

The opera season at the La Scala Opera House and the International Decorative and Modern Industrial Art Exhibition, are but two of the many exhibitions and shows, on offer in Milan's cultural sector. Milan organizes many shows and exhibitions linked to the ancient tradition of the city, including the Oh bej Fair (-8 December), il Corteo dei Re Magi (6th January), la Navigli Fair (early June) dedicated to antiques and antique collectingand the Navigli Mercatone (last Sunday of the month). The open -air markets are a good source for shopping they include the markets in Via Zamagna, via Kramer, piazza Mirabello, viale Papiniano , via B .Marcello, via Aicardo, piazzale Martini, via Zuretti, via Fa and piazzale Lagosta. Among the small markets , the most famous is the Mercatino delle Pulci or ' Senegallia Fair' held in viale G.D'Annunzio, open on Saturday from 8.30am to 5pm. Traffic is banned in the evening from the central zone of Milan in order to give new life to the cinemas, bars and fashionable places situated between piazza del Duomo, via Torino, piazza San Babila and via Manzoni. A high concentration of restaurants and wine bars are located in the small squares in the Brera district and along the Pavese and Grande canals.

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