Imagine a city where Gothic spires pierce the sky with the same audacity with which modern skyscrapers cut through the clouds, and boutique windows stand alongside Leonardo`s frescoes. Milan is not just the financial heart of Italy and the world capital of fashion. It is a city of paradoxes, where the austere medieval brickwork of the Lombards embraces the elegant lines of Renaissance palaces, and the spirit of da Vinci`s engineering genius still lingers in the air.
There is less tourist hustle here than in Rome or Venice, but the concentration of masterpieces and energy is so great that Milan reveals itself only to the attentive traveler, ready to look beyond the façade of glossy magazines.
History of Milan
The history of Milan began around 600 BC, when the Celtic tribe of the Insubres founded a settlement here. In 222 BC, it was conquered by the Romans, who named it Mediolanum. By the 4th century AD, the city had become one of the capitals of the Western Roman Empire. Under Bishop Ambrose, Milan experienced its first flourishing, leaving behind great basilicas as its legacy.
After the fall of the empire, the city declined, but in 1045 it again proclaimed itself an independent commune. In 1162, Frederick Barbarossa destroyed Milan to its foundations, but by 1167 the city had risen from the ashes, and in 1176 it dealt a crushing defeat to the imperial forces at Legnano. The Peace of Constance in 1183 recognized Milan`s trading privileges, allowing it to become one of the wealthiest cities in Europe.
In 1277, the Visconti family came to power, and in 1450 they were succeeded by the Sforza dynasty. It was under their rule that Milan became one of the first centers of European capitalism. The greatest masters of the era were invited to the Sforza court: Leonardo da Vinci and Donato Bramante, whose works forever changed the city`s appearance.
In 1540, Spanish rule began, lasting until 1706—a period of stagnation and the terrible plague of 1630. Milan then passed to the Austrians. In 1796, Napoleon captured the city, and in 1805 he was crowned King of Italy in Milan`s Duomo. After Napoleon`s fall, Milan returned to the Austrians until 1859, when it became part of a unified Italy.
In the 20th century, especially after World War II, Milan became the center of the "Italian economic miracle," the country`s leading design and fashion city. Today it is a global capital of fashion, design, and finance, the second-largest city in Italy with a population of over 1.3 million. The population of Milan with its suburbs reaches 3.2 million.
Architecture of Milan
The architecture of Milan is a unique blend of styles and eras, where antiquity neighbors futurism, and red-brick Lombard Gothic coexists with elegant classicism.
Roman and Early Christian Era of Milan
From the ancient period, ruins of a 1st-century theater, a 1st-2nd century amphitheater, and 3rd-century Baths of Hercules have survived, as well as the 4th-century Ansperto defensive tower. The ancient Roman street grid can still be discerned in the Cordusio area. The main monument of early Christian architecture is the Church of San Lorenzo Maggiore from the late 4th to early 5th century, with its magnificent mosaics in the Sant`Aquilino Chapel.
Romanesque and Gothic of Milan
The ancient basilicas founded by Saint Ambrose were rebuilt in the Romanesque style: Sant`Ambrogio, founded in 379-386 AD with 9th-12th century reconstructions, and San Simpliciano. The pinnacle of Lombard Gothic became the white marble Milan Cathedral—a rare example in this brick-building tradition of construction from precious stone. Construction began in 1386 and continued for over five centuries, officially concluding only in 1965.
Renaissance and Mannerism of Milan
In the 15th century, Gothic motifs began to merge with Renaissance solutions. Donato Bramante built the choir and dome of the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie in 1492-1497, while Filarete designed the Ospedale Maggiore hospital starting in 1456. During the era of Spanish rule from the mid-16th century, palaces in the Mannerist style were built: Palazzo Marino from 1558, now the city hall, and the Church of San Fedele.
Baroque and Classicism of Milan
Notable Baroque structures include the façade of the Church of San Bernardino alle Ossa from 1679 and Palazzo Brera from 1651-1686, which today houses the famous Academy and Pinacoteca di Brera. Classicism gave Milan its gems: the Teatro alla Scala opera house from 1776-1778, the Royal Palace rebuilt in 1773-1778, and Palazzo Belgioioso.
Modernity and Innovation of Milan
After the unification of Italy, the city was actively developed in the eclectic style. In 1865-1867, architect Giuseppe Mengoni built the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II—Europe`s first shopping arcade. The 20th century brought the Pirelli Tower in 1958 by Gio Ponti, and the Velasca Tower in 1958 with its medieval motifs. And in 2014, Stefano Boeri built the "Vertical Forest"—two towers whose façades are covered with over 700 trees and 90 plant species, creating their own microclimate.
Sights of Milan
Milan Cathedral is the symbol of the city and one of the largest Catholic churches in the world. Its construction lasted over 500 years: from the first stone in 1386 to its official completion in 1965. The façade is adorned with 135 marble spires and thousands of statues. At the highest spire, 108.5 meters tall, shines the golden statue of the Madonna, which Milanese call the "Madonnina"—the city`s protector.
Inside, the world`s largest Gothic stained glass windows and the crypt of the archbishops are awe-inspiring. You can ascend to the roof via stairs, climbing 463 steps, or by elevator to see the city panorama and, on clear days, the snow-capped Alps. It was here that Napoleon was crowned in 1805.
The Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Rebuilt with the participation of Donato Bramante at the end of the 15th century, this church holds in its refectory the greatest relic—Leonardo da Vinci`s fresco "The Last Supper," painted in 1495-1498. Tickets here need to be booked months in advance.
The Basilica of Sant`Ambrogio is one of Milan`s oldest churches, founded in 379-386 AD by Saint Ambrose, the city`s patron. It is an example of Lombard Romanesque with austere brickwork, two towers from the 9th and 12th centuries, and magnificent 5th-century mosaics in the San Vittore in Ciel d`Oro Chapel.
The Church of San Lorenzo Maggiore is a unique monument of late antiquity from the late 4th to early 5th century, with a colonnade of 2nd-century spolia. The Sant`Aquilino Chapel preserves authentic late 4th-century mosaics.
The Church of San Bernardino alle Ossa is a place with a grim legend. Next to the church was a hospital for plague victims, and adjacent to it, a burial pit for bones. In the chapel, the walls and vaults are decorated with thousands of human skulls and bones.
Squares, Palaces, and Castles of Milan
Piazza del Duomo is the city`s main square, the heart of Milan, always bustling with people. Here stands the equestrian monument to the first king of a unified Italy—Vittorio Emanuele II.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a majestic four-story arcade built in 1865-1867. It is the prototype of modern shopping centers, connecting Piazza del Duomo with Piazza della Scala. The octagonal space under the glass dome is adorned with mosaics depicting the coats of arms of Italy`s four capitals: Turin, Florence, Rome, and Milan.
By tradition, you need to spin three times on your heel on the mosaic bull, Turin`s emblem—it brings good luck. The tragic story of architect Mengoni, who fell from the scaffolding just days before the gallery`s opening in 1877, adds a mystical aura to the place.
Piazza della Scala is where Italy`s main opera house is located, along with the monument to Leonardo da Vinci by sculptor Pietro Magni, installed in 1872.
Sforza Castle is a mighty 14th-century fortress, rebuilt in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza. It is one of Europe`s largest citadels. Bramante and Leonardo worked here. There is a version that the castle served as a model for the Lombard architects who built the walls of the Moscow Kremlin at the end of the 15th century. Inside the castle are several museums with treasures: Michelangelo`s unfinished "Rondanini Pietà," a collection of musical instruments, Egyptian antiquities, and paintings.
The Royal Palace was the former residence of Milan`s dukes, then of kings and emperors. Originally built in 1138, it was rebuilt in the Classicist style in 1773-1778. Today it is the city`s largest exhibition center.
Palazzo Marino is a masterpiece of Mannerism, built from 1558, now the city administration building.
Bridges and Canals of Milan
Milan is often perceived as a landlocked city, but it has its own soul—the Navigli district. This is a network of canals built starting from the 12th century for water communication. Leonardo da Vinci himself participated in improving the lock system. Today it`s a bohemian quarter: along the water stretch rows of cafes, restaurants, antique shops, and art galleries. In the evening, life buzzes here, and Milanese gather for aperitifs.
One of the district`s bridges is adorned with four mermaids—statues that in the 19th century were deemed too provocative and removed from the center. Later they were returned, but to the Sempione Park, on a bridge over one of the canals.
Ponte Vecchio in Milan? No, that`s a bridge in Lecco, but it`s also connected to Milan`s rulers: built in 1336-1338 by order of Azzone Visconti, Lord of Milan, and officially called Ponte Azzone Visconti.
Galleries and Museums of Milan
Pinacoteca di Brera is one of Italy`s most famous art galleries, housed in a 17th-century Baroque palace. Here masterpieces are kept: Raphael`s "Betrothal of the Virgin," Mantegna`s "Lamentation of Christ," Hayez`s "The Kiss," works by Caravaggio, Tintoretto, and Bellini.
Pinacoteca Ambrosiana is Milan`s oldest museum, founded in 1618 by Cardinal Federico Borromeo. It holds Leonardo da Vinci`s drawings, Caravaggio`s "Basket of Fruit," and paintings by Botticelli and Raphael.
The Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology is one of Europe`s largest technical museums, located within the walls of an ancient monastery. The vast exhibition includes machine models based on Leonardo`s drawings, a submarine, space exhibits including a piece of lunar rock, vintage locomotives, and airplanes.
Museo Poldi Pezzoli is an eclectic private collection of weapons, paintings including works by Botticelli and Piero della Francesca, furniture, armor, and tapestries, housed in an ancient mansion.
The Triennale Design Museum is located in the Palazzo dell`Arte in Sempione Park. It is a center of Italian and international design, hosting the Milan Triennale.
Fondazione Prada is a contemporary art center, opened in 2015 to a design by architect Rem Koolhaas on the site of a former distillery. Ten buildings, including the gold-leaf-clad "Haunted House," have become a new model for 21st-century exhibition space.
Gardens and Panoramas of Milan
Sempione Park is Milan`s main park, laid out on the site of the former parade ground of Sforza Castle. Here you`ll find the Arch of Peace, the Branca Tower with its panoramic elevator, the Palazzo dell`Arte, ponds, and numerous paths for walks and picnics.
The Arch of Peace is a triumphal arch, begun under Napoleon and completed in 1838 as a symbol of peace. Adorned with equestrian sculptures and reliefs, it is one of the central points for evening strolls.
Viewpoints—the best views of the city open from the rooftop of the Duomo and from the Branca Tower in Sempione Park.
Unusual Corners of Milan
• The Bone Chapel—the already mentioned interior of human skulls and bones. According to legend, every November 2nd, a girl`s skull comes to life and invites the skeletons to dance.
• The House with the Ear—on the façade of the house at Via Serbelloni, 10, there is a small stone ear. It is said to have been a medieval "intercom": you would speak the owner`s name into it, and the door would open.
• The Scandalous Finger—a monument in the shape of a middle finger, standing opposite the stock exchange building. It is a symbol of the specific humor of Milanese and their attitude towards financial institutions.
• The Witches` Quarter—an area where witches were burned for three hundred years, and now the walls are covered with contemporary graffiti.
Practical Tips for Tourists in Milan
• Book tickets in advance. Tickets for "The Last Supper" sell out 2-3 months ahead. For the Duomo, the La Scala museum, and the Pinacoteca di Brera, it`s better to buy online to avoid queues.
• Milan holds many Christian relics. In the Duomo cathedral, you can see a nail from the Cross of the Lord, which, according to tradition, was found by Empress Helena. And in the Church of San Lorenzo Maggiore, there is a chapel with 4th-century mosaics.
• Combined ticket. There are combination tickets available that allow you to visit the cathedral roof, the museum, the baptistery, and the archaeological area.
• Opening hours. Many museums are closed on Mondays. Check the schedule before your visit.
• Transport. Excellent metro, trams including historic ones, and buses. Tickets are sold at tobacco shops and vending machines.
• Where to eat. Beyond the tourist spots in the center, look for authentic osterias in the Navigli, Brera, and Isola districts. Be sure to try risotto alla Milanese with saffron, cotoletta alla Milanese (breaded veal chop on the bone), and panzerotti (fried stuffed pastries).
• Drink. The Navigli district is famous for its aperitifs: order a drink and get a free buffet of snacks.
Milan is not just a city. It is a place where history never freezes in stone. Here, Gothic cathedrals neighbor futuristic skyscrapers, austere medieval castles stand alongside elegant arcades, and Leonardo`s masterpieces coexist with the latest Prada collections. It is a city of contrasts, where business acumen blends with hedonism, and the industrial rhythm harmonizes with the coziness of old canals.
