Milan is the capital of Lombardy, the largest city in the North of Italy, known as the world`s fashion capital and the financial center of Italy. However, the city attracts not only shoppers; you can see here a lot of beautiful sights of the Gothic and Renaissance.
The main attraction of the city is the huge Gothic Duomo Cathedral. It is one of the largest cathedrals in the world in spaciousness, but its decor makes a real impression. The Duomo Cathedral is decorated with 3,400 sculptures. You cannot see it nowhere else in the world. Also impressive is the number of spires - 135 of them.
Close to the Duomo Cathedral is the Gallery of Victor Emmanuel II. This is one of the first shopping malls in the world. It was built in 1865 in the form of a Latin cross with a large dome in the center. More than 30 boutiques of the most expensive fashion brands are located here. Here you can see all the main new trends for the upcoming fashion season.
No less important monument of the history of Milan is the huge Sforza castle. It was built in the 14th century by the Sforza family, who ruled Milan in the Middle Ages. Then from the 15th to the 19th century, Milan was owned by France, Austria, Spain, Italy, and the Holy Roman Empire. All of them used the Sforza castle as a key stronghold of their power. The castle housed the soldiers ` barracks. Now there is a Museum, and around the Castle there is a magnificent Sempione Park.
A mandatory point of visit to Milan is the Church of Santa Maria del Grazia. The Gothic Church of the Dominican monastery was the tomb of the Sforza family. In the 16th century, Leonardo da Vinci painted his famous fresco "the Last Supper" in the Refectory of this Church.
The La Scala Opera in Milan is world famous. The building itself is built in a modest neoclassical style, but the theatre hall is luxurious. Palace Kalerici also has a rather discreet facade, but the luxurious internal decoration in the Baroque style.
It is very interesting to visit the Pinacoteca Brera. This is the largest art gallery in the city, where paintings by the most famous artists are collected. In addition to the Pinacoteca, there are interesting museums in the Milano: the City Museum of natural history, the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of science and technology, the Ambrosian Pinacoteca, and the Poldi-Pezzoli Museum. The Villa Reale Palace is home to the Museum of modern art.
There are some very interesting temples in Milan. The Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore is considered one of the oldest Christian churches in Europe. The same ancient Basilica of Saint Ambrosio is named the patron Saint of Milan, the Saint Ambrose of Mediolan.
