Destination Guides: Milan, Italy - City Overview

Imagine the view from the roof of the Duomo, looking out over the city of Milan.  The graceful porticoes and ornate friezes of medieval Milan blend and fade in a symphony of color and texture up against the stark definition in steel and concrete of the modern rendition of that venerable city.  This magical yet understated metropolitan center  is fairly bursting with energy and vitality as well as carefully preserved mementos of centuries past. 

Milan is a joy to visit.  It doesn't draw the crowds of  tourists that one finds in Rome, Florence and Venice. Visitors can leisurely explore streets that are lined with famous sites, from the beloved opera house, La Scala, and the spired Gothic splendor of the Duomo to the beaux-arts filigree of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. The museums and galleries of Milan hold many treasures, from Da Vinci's Last Supper to Michelangelo's Rondanini Pieta. Milan is a city that reveres its history, yet it is up to date and always ready for something new and exciting.   In Milan one may meet models wearing the latest designer styles enroute to casting sessions and runway shows. Milan is filled with smart, shops and trendy restaurants situated right at the heart of its ancient past.

Located at the point where northern and southern Europe meet, Milan's name is derived from the Latin for "middle lands The original Celtic village became part of the Roman Empire around the first century BC.   In AD 313 the emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, making Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. After the collapse of the Empire and centuries of barbarian rule, Milan once again became independent and prosperous as a city-state in the 13th and 14th centuries.

Spanish, French and Austro-Hungarian rule finally gave way to independence in 1861, when Milan became part of the kingdom of Italy. The city was the birthplace of fascism in Italy in the early years of the 20th century, and vestiges of that autocratic period survive today in its architecture of which the massive Central train station is an excellent example.

After World War II, Milan overflowed its prewar borders to become a sprawling metropolis. In the 1970s and 1980s, the city prospered, becoming the industrial, financial, fashion and design center of the country. There are so many sites in Milan that should not be missed:  The Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology is a favorite for children, but its hands-on exhibits will be of interest to the whole family.   Take a walk down Via Dante to the Castello Sforzesco, and on to the castle grounds for more exploration and an opportunity to view the museums and collections of this fully restored masterpiece of architecture.  The Milan Cathedral, in the Late Gothic style, is white marble, over a brick core, and has a cruciform plan. One of the largest cathedrals in the world (14,000 square yards) it was designed to accommodate 40,000 worshippers. A climb by stairs or a ride up the elevator on a clear day will result in an incomparable view of the city from the Cathedral dome.  Teatro alla Scala, known throughout the world for its architecture and for the quality of its operatic productions,  along with  its accompanying museum are also not to be missed. 

Milan is a center of culture and commerce.  It is a city of charm and ageless beauty.  It is a delight in all seasons.