Interesting Facts

- Milan is the second largest city in Italy.

- It is the fashion, design, business and music capital of the country.

- Being the country's capital in business, fashion, music and design, Milan offers amazing attractions, which combine both the past and present. The country's foremost stock exchange is in the city, as are some of the most important design schools in the world.

- The city houses various cultural landmarks of both past and present such as the world famous La Scala Opera house and the Gothic Cathedral Duomo.

- Milan is located close to various other cities of tourist attraction such as Venice and Florence, as well as the seashore villages of Liguria and Cinque Terre.

- The city has been through several cultural and political transitions over the years. At one point, it was the capital of Napoleon's Italian Republic and he presided as the king of Italy and Milan in 1805.

II. Destinations & Sight-Seeing

A. Basilica di San Bassiano

In 374 Bishop Bassiano decided to erect the Basilica of Laus Pompeia (which was destroyed by the Milanese around 1000ad) in the midst of a cemetery, which ran along the very important Roman road that linked Milan, Lodi and Piacenza. Consecrated in 387 to the presence of the Bishop of Milan, Ambrogio, the Basilica of San Bassiano is definitely one of Lombardy's most fascinating examples of medieval architecture. There only remain a few traces of the Roman structure like the internal massive pylons in styled brickwork, crowned with capitals. In the first decades of the 14th century the Basilica underwent constant changes and as a result, today it has a distinctive gothic aspect to it. The elegant brickwork façade is divided into three parts by thin lesions so even the lateral edges by the high and slender buttresses that support the lateral nave probably erected during the 14th century intervention. Inside, the splendid floral decorations and pictures of 'monstrous animals' highlight the harmonious three nave structure whilst on the apse basin and on the presbytery we find the splendid frescoes of an anonymous 14th century maestro which brighten up the whole structure.

B. Archi di Porta Nuova

This gate, part of the 12th-century walls of the city, were reinforced and embellished by Azzone Visconti (1330-39), and consists of two arches flanked by towers. The Archi di Porta Nuova was partly destroyed and several other buildings were built and was then re-established in the year 1861. After making further architectural changes it was renovated in 1931.

C. Arena Civica

The Arena Civica was intentionally built in the area of the Castello Sforzesco so that it could serve as a place for celebrations and festivals such as the Repubblica Cisalpina and the Regno d'Italia. The neoclassical architect Luigi Canonica designed the Arena Civica in the year 1805 at the northeastern end of the Parco Sempione. This Arena was built using materials from the castle remains and was replicated on the Roman amphitheatres. The Arena has four main entrances and has an oval shaped floor.

D. Casa Candiani

Luigi Broggi planned and designed this house in the year 1882-1885 for the Candiani family, well-known makers of terracotta things. The nature of the family business can be seen from the richly decoration façade, which is a remarkable example of how this traditional Lombard building material can be used. The façade, with rich Renaissance-style decorations, has a characteristic angular depression within which the entrance is located.

E. Casa Galimberti e casa Guazzoni

Designed by Giovan Battista Bossi in the early 20th century, in an area that was new at that time, these houses feature a rich use of decoration in all their architectural elements, including the iron balusters, the stone corbels and the ledges. The façade of the house at 3, Via Malpighi, is extremely famous with its ceramic decorations created by Brambilla and Pinzauti that depict female figures amongst plant fronds.

F. Lago Maggiore

Lake Maggiore or Verbano as it is generally called is Italy's second largest lake after Garda and lies in the shelter of the alpine circle between Lombardy, Piedmont and Switzerland. The lake's area is very large and it obtains its waters from the Ticino and Maggia rivers, also from Lake Lugano that flows through the Tresa mountain stream, from Lake Orta through the Strona River, and from Lake Varese via the river Bardello. Its only emissary is the Ticino near Sesto Calende. The lake played a very important role and helped communications in the northern part of Italy at the time of the Roman period. In the 15th century, it helped to defend the Signoria of Milan from Swiss territories when the city's various lands were enfeoffed to the Borromeo family.

The ancient Sanctuary of Santa Caterina del Sasso and the Fort at Angera on the Lombard shore, the attractive nature park in Ticino and Valgrande, the superb botanical gardens at Villa Taranto and Isola Madre, and the many villas and parks along the shore are some of the attractions that the lake offers.

G. Parco Nord Milano

Opened in 1975, this park is a place, which used to be a marginal, run down area on the outskirts of the city. A recuperation project that begun in 1967 gradually improved the environment and converted over 600 hectares into a green space. The area has now become a proper city park and a place to breathe in the city. It also has numerous leisure facilities, such as fountains, cycling paths and a seated area and is popular with locals and schoolchildren. There are buildings of historic interest in the area such as the Villa Torretta di Sesto S. Giovanni and Villa Manzoni at Cormano, as well as over 100 plant species here.

H. Chiesa Apostolica Armena

The religion of Christianity spread through Armenia in the beginning of the 2nd century but it was Saint Gregory also known as the Illuminator, who was the real great follower of Christianity 295 and 325. He overcame paganism and gave the church its hierarchical structure with Catholicism at its head. Today, the majority of Armenians belong to the National Armenian church with its own particular characteristics, doctrines and disciplines. It recognizes the survival of two natures in Jesus Christ, it also confirms that the Holy Spirit is of the Father and not of the Son, it contradicts the Extreme Unction and Purgatory, which is praying for the dead, and it disproves of the authority of the Pope in Rome, particularly his doctrinal authority.

I. Casa Della Cultura Islamica

A few Muslims established the House of Islamic Culture in the year 1993. These Muslims had been living in Milan for a while and also attended the Islamic center on Via Anacreonte. It was initiated following the awareness that the local Muslims needed a substitute place for worship. The mosque on Via Padova is run by natives from different countries including Syria, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt and Italy. Other members of the Muslim world, such as Somalians, Senegalese, Bengalese and Pakistanis, also visit this mosque. Approximately 1500 people gather in this mosque every Friday for prayers.

J. The Piazza del Duomo

The Piazza Del Duomo offers many prominent sights that include Milan's Cathedral The Duomo, the Museum of the Duomo, Palazzo Real and the famous Galleria Vittoria Emanuele II. Here tourists come across hawkers who indulge in selling Milanese products, most of which is manufactured in China.

K. Museum of the Duomo

The Museum of the Duomo is made so that it is divided into approximately 20 small rooms that contain paintings, columns, statues, metalwork and many other unusual items that date back to the time of the Duomo. While visiting the Museum people can take a close look at all the items and can appreciate the impressive artwork of the Duomo.

It is open from 9.30 am - 12.30 pm. It is closed for lunch and reopens again at 3.00 pm - 6.00 pm and is open all through the week.

L. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is extremely famous since it houses one of the finest shopping centers in Italy. It is very impressive and beautiful. The Galleria offers a walk thru where people can eat at the restaurants while shopping.

M. Santa Maria delle Grazie

The convent of Santa Maria della Grazie was built in the fifteenth century. This church is very well known for its impressive architecture and it also houses Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting of The Last Supper, which was painted on one of its walls within a period of four years. Tourists who are keen on seeing Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper are advised to make prior reservations through telephone and can also visit the official website. There are various companies that specialize in organizing tours to the Museum and ticket reservations can be made through these companies as well. Many tourists who visit Milan during the peak season time also need to reserve their tickets several weeks before to avoid disappointment.

The Museum is open to all and tourists can see The Last Supper from Tuesday - Sunday and the timings are from 8.00 am - 7.30 pm. The Museum is closed on Monday.