12/9/2017 20 Must-Visit Attractions in Milan Italy / SEE & DO Brera, Milan | © Martin Stiburek/Flickr 20 Must-Visit Attractions in Milan Raphaele Varley Updated: 22 November 2017 When planning a city break in Italy most people probably pick Venice, Rome or Florence, and that’s exactly why you should visit Milan instead. Of course there are still crowded tourist hotspots but most of the city still feels truly Italian. The architecture of Milan is as varied as its museum and gallery offerings: from early medieval to mid century through to contemporary. Its design and fashion heritage also lend the city a cosmopolitan personality you won’t find anywhere else. Il Duomo Every major European city has an iconic architectural site, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Big Ben in London…in Milan it is the majestic Duomo, situated at the very By continuing to browcse noturre s oitef tyhoeu caigtyre ien tPoi aozuzr au sdee ol fD Cuooomkieos., BPurivilat cwyi tPho lpiciyn ka-nd Terms Of Service. Learn more hheureed white marble from the quarries of Lake Maggiore, https://theculturetrip.com/europe/italy/articles/20-must-visit-attractions-in-milan/ 1/23 12/9/2017 20 Must-Visit Attractions in Milan the cathedral is the biggest and arguably the most elaborate Gothic building in Italy. Construction began in 1386 but took over six centuries to complete! Make sure you climb to the rooftop where you can take-in a panoramic view of the city and admire the intricacies of the architecture. To learn about the cathedral’s history visit the adjacent museum, Museo del Duomo. Duomo Information Point, Piazza del Duomo, 18, Milan, Italy, +39 02 72023375 Il Duomo, Milan | © Matthias Rhomberg/Flickr | © Matthias Rhomberg/Flickr Castello Sforzesco After the Duomo, Castello Sforzesco is the next major ‘symbol of Milan’ and is the best place to learn about the city’s medieval and early modern history – the castle bore witness to Spanish, Habsburg and Napoleonic rule. The imposing fortress was built by Francesco Sforza (the first Duke of Milan) in the 15th century, but underwent several modifications in the following decades. It is worth allotting a large amount of time to visit the castle because it comprises multiple museums and galleries, including the Pinacoteca which is home to By continuing to browpsea ionutirn sgitse byoyu t haegr leikee tos ouf rB ursoen ozfin Coo, oTkiinetso, rPeritvtaoc ay nPdo lTiciyti and. Terms Of Service. Learn more here https://theculturetrip.com/europe/italy/articles/20-must-visit-attractions-in-milan/ 2/23 12/9/2017 20 Must-Visit Attractions in Milan Castello Sforzesco, Piazza Castello, Milan, Italy, +39 02 8846 3700 Castello Sforzesco, Milan | © Comune di Milano, all rights reserved | © Comune di Milano, all rights reserved Museo del Novecento Just a short walk from the Duomo, this gallery houses a remarkable collection of 20th-century Italian art. Over 400 works are displayed chronologically giving visitors a great introduction to modern Italian art history. It begins in 1902 and travels through Futurism, Novecento, Abstraction, Art Informel, leaders of the 1950s and 1960s (including an entire floor dedicated to Lucio Fontana), Arte Povera and finishes with Pop Art. Learn more about the collection here. Museo del Novecento, Via Marconi, 1, Milan, Italy, +39 02 884 440 61 By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of Cookies, Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service. Learn more here https://theculturetrip.com/europe/italy/articles/20-must-visit-attractions-in-milan/ 3/23 12/9/2017 20 Must-Visit Attractions in Milan Umberto Boccioni’s ‘Elasticità’ (1912) from the permanent collection of Museo Novecento, Milan | © Comune di Milano – all rights reserved Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is an opulent, covered pedestrian street connecting Piazza Duomo and Piazza della Scala. The Renaissance style structure is one of the most famous examples of European iron architecture and represents the archetype of the commercial retail space of the 19th century. It remains a host to elegant, high-end shops (Prada, Versace, Gucci…) and restaurants and cafés, some of which have been running since the building was inaugurated. The vaulted glass dome roof is awe-inspiring so it’s worth visiting for this alone. Try to get there first thing in the morning before the selfie-sticks and pigeons descend. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Piazza del Duomo, Milan, Italy By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of Cookies, Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service. Learn more here https://theculturetrip.com/europe/italy/articles/20-must-visit-attractions-in-milan/ 4/23 12/9/2017 20 Must-Visit Attractions in Milan Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan | © Georgia/Flickr | © Georgia/Flickr Teatro alla Scala Teatro alla Scala is Italy’s premiere destination to watch opera, ballet and classical music. It plays host to leading operatic singers, ballet companies and symphony orchestras from around the world. The interior is suitably lavish with red and gold finishes. You can view the forthcoming programme on the theatre website – expect great classic such as Verdi’s La Traviata or an evening of Stravinsky. Teatro alla Scala, Via Filodrammatici, 2, Milan, Italy, +39 02 7200 3744 By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of Cookies, Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service. Learn more here https://theculturetrip.com/europe/italy/articles/20-must-visit-attractions-in-milan/ 5/23 12/9/2017 20 Must-Visit Attractions in Milan Inside Teatro alla Scala, Milan | © Alessio Bragadini/Flickr | © Alessio Bragadini/Flickr Peck Whether you enjoy dining out at restaurants or sampling salami at local macellerias, everyone can agree that one of the best things about travelling in Italy is the food. Peck is the ultimate gourmand destination in Milan. Peck opened in 1883 as a shop for fine smoked meats and salmon, and has since become the most prestigious delicatessen in the city. The abundant and colourful counters spread across three floors, offering everything from chocolate to crustaceans. And then there is the wine cellar. If there is no room in your suitcase to take something home, why not stop in the Peck café or restaurant to sample the produce instead. Peck, Via Spadari, 9, Milan, Italy, +39 02 802 3161 By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of Cookies, Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service. Learn more here https://theculturetrip.com/europe/italy/articles/20-must-visit-attractions-in-milan/ 6/23 12/9/2017 20 Must-Visit Attractions in Milan A seafood counter at Peck, Milan | © Yuichi Shiraishi/Flickr | © Yuichi Shiraishi/Flickr Chiesa Santa Maria delle Grazie This UNESCO world heritage site exemplifies Milanese Renaissance splendour and is home to Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper (1495–1498). Chiesa Santa Maria is also renowned for its false apse, an early example of architectural optical illusion attributed to Renaissance heavyweight Donato Bramante. Entry is only allowed every 15 minutes with a maximum capacity of 30 people at any given time so advance booking is recommended. Chiesa Santa Maria delle Grazie, Piazza di Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan, Italy, +39 02 467 6111 By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of Cookies, Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service. Learn more here https://theculturetrip.com/europe/italy/articles/20-must-visit-attractions-in-milan/ 7/23 12/9/2017 20 Must-Visit Attractions in Milan Inside Chiesa Santa Maria Delle Grazie, Milan | © Carlodell/WikiCommons | © Carlodell/WikiCommons Leonardo da Vinci’s Vineyard In 1482, at the invitation of Duke Ludovico Sforza, Leonardo da Vinci moved to Castello Sforzesco and began work as court painter. During his time in Milan, da Vinci created some of his most celebrated works, including The Last Supper fresco at Chiesa Santa Maria delle Grazie, and contributed to several other projects in the city, such as engineering new waterways in Navigli. To thank da Vinci for these efforts, the Duke gifted him a small vineyard opposite Chiesa Santa Maria delle Grazie. This plot is now open to the public as La Vigna di Leonardo, where you can visit the vineyard, garden and adjacent house-museum, Atellani House. It is a serene and evocative place to learn more about the unparalleled artist, engineer and scientist. La Vigna di Leonardo, Corso Magenta, 65, Milan, Italy, +39 02 481 6150 Leonardo da Vinci’s vineyard, Milan | © Francisco Anzola/Flickr | © Francisco By continuing to browse our site you agree to ourA unzsoela /oFlfic Ckrookies, Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service. Learn more here https://theculturetrip.com/europe/italy/articles/20-must-visit-attractions-in-milan/ 8/23 12/9/2017 20 Must-Visit Attractions in Milan Brera The Brera neighbourhood epitomises everyone’s romantic vision of life in a European city. The balconies and windows of the elegant apartment buildings are dressed with plants, and on the corner of every cobbled street is a charming café, indulgent bakery or chic retailer. In addition to the public museums Pinacoteca di Brera and Museo del Risorgimento, there are also many commercial gallery and design spaces. Nestled between Parco Sempione and Piazza della Scala, Brera it is a central location but with none of the chaos of the area surrounding Duomo. It is the ideal place to wander aimlessly until you sit down for brunch, lunch or dinner. A cobbled street in Brera, Milan | © Joe Hunt/Flickr | © Joe Hunt/Flickr Pinacoteca di Brera The Pinacoteca di Brera is a major public museum housed in a palazzo in the Brera district. It originated as a gallery to host the most important works of art from areas conquered by the French armies. Today it is a celebrated art collection in Italy, with a special focus on Venetian and Lombard paintings.