What else to see in Milan? What to see in Milan What to do in Milan

Milan is the capital of one of the 20 Italian regions - Lombardy, and the unofficial “northern capital” of Italy, one of the recognized capitals of world fashion, a paradise for shopaholics, etc. So many stereotypes associated with this city had accumulated in my head that I was glad to finally get to know it in person, staying in Milan for 4 days before traveling to my beloved Austrian Alps.

Transport in Milan

Direct flight St. Petersburg - Milan (Malpensa International Airport, located about 40 km from the city center, Terminal 1), then by bus, tickets for which we bought right at the airport, or rather, at a kiosk right next to the baggage carousel while we were waiting baggage. The bus comes directly to the main, central, station of Milan (Milano Centrale). This suited us very much, since we were going to continue our journey to Austria from this station, so I booked a hotel - quite a decent 4 stars with breakfast - a 2-minute walk from it.

A ticket for the Malpensa Shuttle bus costs €10 per person one way (and €16 return), the bus departs every 20 minutes directly from the airport exit, travel time is approximately 1 hour).

Other options are the Malpensa Express train (also departs directly from the airport, travel time to Milano Centrale is approximately 45-50 minutes (depending on intermediate stops), fare for an adult is €12 one way and €18 round trip ), or taxi.

You can take a taxi directly at the airport, but this, as usual, is more expensive than a pre-booked transfer. Very convenient: the driver will meet you with a sign and take you and your luggage directly to the specified address.

And if in Bergamo (not really, actually, Milan, but nevertheless, this is where most European low-cost airlines fly) - here you can book a transfer from Bergamo airport to Milan (and back, if desired).

Having disembarked from the bus, we were terribly happy to see the huge number of porters literally attacking the bus, since already on the way we were mentally preparing for how we would now begin “orienteering”, dragging covers with skis, ski boots, and a suitcase each. As a result, they chose the most decently dressed porter from the crowd, that is, the one who least resembled a homeless person in his appearance, unloaded all the luggage onto his cart, named our hotel, and exactly 3 minutes later we were there. The young man received his well-deserved 5 euros from us, and we, having checked in, hurried to begin our acquaintance with Milan.

It should be noted here that Milano Centrale is also an interchange station of the Milan metro, the intersection point of the “green” and “yellow” lines of the Milan metro. Everything is simple and clear.

Tickets are sold at the box office at all stations:

• “one-time” (valid for 75 minutes from the moment of validation, i.e. entry into the metro, for only 1 trip on the metro and an unlimited number of trips on the tram and bus until the period of 75 minutes has expired) costs €1.50;
• for a day (24 hours from the moment of validation, without restrictions on the number of trips on all types of transport) - €4.50;
• for 2 days (48 hours) – €8.25.

But you need to be careful: some metro stops are not part of the “city” transport network. So, for example, if you happen to visit the Rho Fiera exhibition center, where most exhibitions are held, a metro ticket there will cost €2.55 one way or €5 return.

Main attractions of Milan

Milan Cathedral

First of all, we rushed to the Duomo - perhaps the main attraction, rightfully considered the main symbol of Milan. The official name of the cathedral is Santa Maria Nascente, it is dedicated to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, but more often it is simply called the Milan Cathedral.

The gigantic cathedral, built of white Piedmontese marble in the style of Flamboyant Gothic (late Gothic architecture), is the largest Gothic and 4th largest Catholic cathedral in the world after Notre-Dame de la Paix in Yamoussoukro (Côte d'Ivoire) , St. Peter's in Rome and St. Paul's in London. In terms of capacity, it is second only to St. Peter's Cathedral (Rome) among Catholic churches, and to Maria de la Sede Cathedral (Seville) among Gothic churches.

The total area of ​​this structure is 11.3 thousand m², height is 106.5 meters. Construction of the cathedral began in 1386, and was completed only by 1880, although many believe that it is still being completed. The temple first opened its doors to parishioners in 1572. The late Gothic building of the Milan Cathedral is distinguished by a huge number of graceful spiers (135 marble needles), pointed turrets and columns connected by many soaring supports, exquisite facades and an abundance of sculptures, of which there are more than 3 thousand outside and inside the cathedral. There are statues of biblical characters, chimeras, historical figures (Napoleon, Mussolini, etc.).

Inside the cathedral, right above the altar, there is a nail, which, allegedly, was brought from the crucifixion of Christ (we did not have a chance to see it, since this shrine is shown to visitors only once a year, during the festive service on the day of the Dormition of the Mother of God). Another important attraction inside the cathedral is the golden statue of the patroness of Milan, Madonna.

The roof of the cathedral offers stunning panoramic views of Milan. It is recommended to climb here for every visitor who wants to get a full understanding of this architectural masterpiece in particular and Milan in general.

You can climb to the roof either by stairs from the northern wall of the temple, overcoming almost 500 steps, or by a special elevator. We, of course, chose the elevator. In clear weather, from the roof of the cathedral you can see not only the entire city, but also the peaks of the Alps. You can get quite close to some of the nearly 4,000 figures decorating the cathedral's terraces.

But the main decoration - Madonnina, majestically looking at the city from the highest spire of the cathedral - from a height of 110 meters, and covered with almost 3900 sheets of gold leaf, even from the terrace remains almost as inaccessible as from below.

Around the cathedral, life is in full swing: street musicians and artists, beggars and pickpockets of all kinds - everything is as usual in places with large concentrations of tourists.

One of the main “attractions” on the square in front of the cathedral - Arabian-looking young men offer you seeds or cereals for a reasonable fee to feed the pigeons that gather here in huge numbers. Ordinary, city pigeons, nothing exotic. While you are feeding the pigeons, they may take a photo of you with your own camera. And, surprisingly, there were people willing! Apparently, there are countries in the world where pigeons are a curiosity...

To the right of the cathedral is the building of the Royal Palace, where the State Museum of Modern Art and the Duomo Cathedral Museum are located. Admittedly, we didn’t get there this time - time was limited, and this time this palace was not among our priorities.

Milan Duomo Cathedral is located at:

Milan, Cathedral Square (Piazza Duomo). The most convenient way to get to the cathedral is by metro - lines 1 or 3, exit at Duomo station.

Visiting the cathedral is free (of course, the obligatory condition is observance of decency in dress and behavior); for photography you need to pay 2 euros.

The Duomo is open to the public:

• from 7 to 19 hours daily (visitors are allowed in until 18:45).
• On Saturday and Sunday, the cathedral's opening hours are from 8:30 to 18:00.
• On church holidays there are special operating hours.
• Ascent to the terraces in the Winter season (i.e. starting from September 16) is carried out from 9:00 to 19:00, the last lift loading is at 18:10.

Gallery Vittorio Emanuele

If you stand in Piazza Duomo facing the Milan Cathedral, then to your left you will see the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - one of the oldest shopping arcades in the world, which locals simply call the “living room of Milan”.

Located in the heart of the city, this shopping arcade connects two squares in Milan - the square in front of the Duomo and the square in front of La Scala.

The gallery bears the name of King Vittorio Emanuele II (or Victor Emmanuel), the first king of Italy, and it was built in 1865-1877 according to the design of the architect Giuseppe Mengoni, who, alas, did not live to see the completion of the work - he fell from the scaffolding and died. Today, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is considered one of the main attractions of the city, and not only due to the shops and restaurants located in it: the passage has a surprisingly harmonious architectural shape of a Latin cross with an octagonal center. Its main highlight is the glass roofs and the giant 47-meter dome in the middle. Decorated with mosaics depicting four continents (except Australia), the gallery can be called a truly architectural gem of the capital of Lombardy.

Inside:

• bright frescoes;
• sculptures;
• elegant stucco and mosaic floor with the coats of arms of Milan, Turin, Rome and Florence.

The Turin coat of arms, which depicts a bull, attracts special attention from tourists. If you look closely, there is a large hole in the place of the bull’s genitals - damage to the mosaic. And all because of a superstition that says that if a bull stands in this very place and spins around himself once, then even the most impossible wish will come true. (Other sources say: you need to stand on your heel and make not one, but three 360-degree turns). We, of course, also took part in this disgrace - it’s a herd instinct, after all, what can you do...

The gallery contains the most expensive boutiques of the city, in which this shopping arcade successfully competes with the legendary “Golden Quadrangle” of Milan, in particular:

• The very first Prada boutique in the world is located strictly in the center of the gallery, under the dome.
• And also Gucci;
• Louis Vuitton;
• Dolce & Gabbana;
• and other iconic Italian brands.

When tired, you can take a break in one of the bars or have a full meal in the first-class restaurants of the gallery.

Michelin stars, haute cuisine, top-class chefs are a feature of many local establishments. It is also recommended to look into the legendary bar Zucca, whose director invented the recipe for the famous Campari.

By the way, most, but not all, establishments in the gallery are pretentious and expensive: among the shops there are quite “democratic” brands (for example, Massimo Dutti), and among the cafes and restaurants we noticed places with frankly “trash” food, such as McDonald’s.

And in the Vittorio Emanuele passage there is a seven-star hotel Town House Seven Stars Galleria, the cost of a night starts from 5000 €. Although, you can spend the night in the gallery (well, at least wander around at night) absolutely free: the shopping arcade is open around the clock, and even when the shops close and life in the city dies down, Vittorio Emanuele II can hear the quiet echo of the steps of curious people wandering here tourists.

Address: Piazza del Duomo.

Opening hours: the gallery is open around the clock, shops - from 10:00 to 22:00.

La Scala

The most famous opera house in the world, Milan's famous La Scala opera house, is completely unremarkable from the outside. From the facade, this gray building vaguely resembles a chest of drawers with an open drawer.

Finding the opera is very simple: from Piazza Duomo you need to go through the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery and you will find yourself in Piazzale Scala. Opposite the tram stop, the most unremarkable building on the square is the famous opera house.

For three centuries now, it has been a meeting place for the Milanese aristocracy; all true connoisseurs of opera and simply connoisseurs of beauty dream of coming here. Inside, the entire furnishings are literally saturated with luxury and grandeur - the chairs are upholstered in velvet, the walls are lavishly decorated with stucco and gilding, mirrors that reflect the brightly lit stage, expensive costumes of the actors.

All this splendor is hidden behind, as I already said, a very inconspicuous façade. It’s just that when the architect Gioseppe Piermarine was building a new theater in the place where the old church of Santa Maria della Scala was once located, he decided not to waste time and money on external decoration, because the building was closely surrounded by residential buildings. In addition, he was hurried by the Milanese aristocracy, with whose money the construction was carried out, because the previous city theater burned down, and the public constantly demanded spectacles.

In general, it is surprising how such a grandiose building was built in just two years; the first production of La Scala - Salieri's opera "Europe Recognized" - took place in August 1778.

After the first performance, one of the most important advantages of the theater was noted - its unsurpassed acoustics, which allows you to hear singing and music in the finest nuances from anywhere in the hall. Some, however, argue that it is best to listen to opera from the very top tiers, where the sound seems to be as perfect as possible.

The spectators themselves create a special solemn atmosphere - the fact is that the audience at La Scala is special, including the most distinguished Italian families, world celebrities, businessmen and politicians, true connoisseurs of opera, and here, as a rule, a dress code is observed ( of course, your outfit can be casual, and no one will kick you out, but be prepared for disapproving looks). Men come here in chic suits, and ladies wear floor-length dresses, complementing the look with furs and jewelry.

Tickets for a performance on the spot, immediately before the performance, are very expensive. It is recommended to order tickets on the official website of the theater.

The most prestigious places are considered to be the boxes; aristocratic Milanese families rent them for the entire season (from December 7 until summer). At the same time, if you decide to buy a ticket to the box, it is worth remembering that the stage is visible only from the first two seats (there are five seats in the box in total).

No less expensive are the places in the so-called T-zone of the stalls. On the opening day of the season, there are no tickets cheaper than two hundred euros, but on ordinary days you can get into the gallery for twenty-five euros; you can buy tickets at the theater box office and in the metro near it.

Alas, in those three evenings that we spent in Milan, at the beginning of January, there was something like a “vacation” in the theater, and there were no evening performances. Therefore, we had to postpone our acquaintance with the theater “until next time.”

For €6 you can get into the La Scala Museum. It is located in the right wing of the theater, the entrance is next to the gift shop. It works almost every day, with a break for lunch. Closes 2 hours before the performance.

The museum's exposition is small, all exhibits are naturally related to music. The exhibition begins on the stairs leading to the second floor - old posters of the most sensational performances are hung here. The museum has a surprisingly warm homely atmosphere and many priceless exhibits - musical instruments, personal belongings of famous composers, conductors and world opera stars who worked in the theater (Verdi's first piano, Toscanini's baton, an opera score with Bellini's notes, little-known portraits of M. Callas are on display here , R. Nureyev and a bust of F.I. Chaliapin), as well as things forgotten by the audience and an exhibition of theatrical costumes on the third floor.

The museum is small, it clearly does not have enough space for further development. But all visitors to the museum get the opportunity to see the famous auditorium with their own eyes, visit the royal boxes and appreciate the theater foyer, which is not always possible even when purchasing a theater ticket.

Art galleries in Milan

Having read in guidebooks about the treasures exhibited in the art galleries of Milan, we could not ignore them.

The most significant of Milan's art galleries, judging by numerous reviews, are the Pinacoteca Brera and the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana. And we couldn’t choose one of them either. Judge for yourself how you can choose if they write about one that it is “the largest and most famous museum in Milan,” and about the other that “art lovers will not find better entertainment than visiting the famous Pinacoteca Ambrosiana in Milan.”

As a result, in order not to be tormented by choice, we visited both of them, which we did not regret at all.

Pinacoteca Ambrosiana

Pinakothek - from the Greek Pinakotheke (pinax - “board”, “picture” and theke - “storage”) - a repository of works of painting, that is, an art gallery.

Pinacoteca Ambrosiana is located on a tiny square with the loud name Piazza Pius XI. There is also an ancient building made of brown, as if moldy stone. This thousand-year-old church of San Sepolcro was built in 1030. It has been preserved in its original form and has great historical value.

Next to it is the “younger” building of the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana. Named in honor of the patron saint of Milan - Saint Ambrosius. It is a simple two-story building, pale peach in color, with the inscription "Bibliotheca Ambrosiana" - the rear façade of the art gallery. Go around it and you will see an impressively sized black door. This is the entrance.

• €8 – ticket for adults,
• €5 – for children.

The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana was founded by Archbishop Federico Borromei in 1618. But even earlier, in 1609, he opened a library on the ground floor of the building, which contained rare books (the library is still open to the public). The archbishop's secret agents “combed” all of Western Europe, Syria and Greece in search of valuable books, manuscripts and art objects. I must say, they did a good job! As a result, the library was replenished with such treasures as manuscripts from the Benedictine monastery of Bobbio (1606) and the library of Vincenzo Pinelli in Padua. In total, we managed to bring out 70 boxes with more than 800 manuscripts! The library stores 12 manuscripts by Leonardo da Vinci and 12,000 drawings by artists of the 14th-19th centuries, including individual works by Virgil, Aristotle and others.

Today, the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana is located on 2 floors in 24 rooms.

Guidebooks say that the art collection of the Ambrosian Pinacoteca is the largest in Milan, after the Brera Pinacoteca. However, the building itself, which has a unique atmosphere and very original interiors, deserves special attention here, not to mention the “Codex Atlanticus” of Leonardo da Vinci exhibited in the library itself: large format sheets with sketches, drawings and notes of the genius on various topics.

The Codex Atlanticus is a collection of manuscripts that Leonardo da Vinci always kept with him. It originally consisted of 1,119 sheets of drawings, drawings and manuscripts that reflect his scientific research between 1478, when Leonardo was still working in his hometown outside Florence, and 1519, the year of his death in France.

This unique collection contains the artist’s thoughts in different areas:

• from mechanics to hydraulics;
• mathematics and astronomy;
• inventions;
• mechanisms;
• and much more.

After Leonardo's death, the collection was given to his faithful student Francesco Melzi, who understood its enormous value and carefully preserved it throughout his life. But, unfortunately, in subsequent centuries, sketches from the collection were scattered and sold to unscrupulous art dealers.

The name Codex Atlanticus was given to the collection in the 17th century by the sculptor Pompeo Leoni, due to the large format of the sheets, reminiscent of an atlas. The collection put together by Leoni was kept in the Louvre for some time (in the 18th century), after which it was returned to the Ambrosian Pinacoteca.

The Salle Federicana in the Ambrosian Pinacoteca is where you can see part of Leonardo da Vinci's Codex Atlantica collection. The hall previously served as a reading room, was built with great attention to detail and turned into a good library. At one time, the hall, like other rooms in the gallery, was seriously damaged and was closed to the public for many years while its restoration took place. After this, the hall was assigned the role of the main exhibition space for Leonardo da Vinci's Codex Atlanticus.

Of the painting masterpieces that are a must-see at the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana:

• The Adoration of the Child by Domenico Ghirlandaio (c. 1480);
• "Madonna under the Canopy" by Sandro Botticelli (c. 1480);
• "Portrait of a Musician" by Leonardo da Vinci (c. 1485);
• "The Holy Family with Saint Anne and the Child John the Baptist" by Bernardino Luini (c. 1520);
• Titian's Adoration of the Magi (c. 1550);
• Caravaggio's Fruit Basket (c. 1598); ….

Another advantage of the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana is that it is not overloaded with tourists, allowing you to carefully and leisurely examine each masterpiece.

The Pinacoteca, located at Piazza Pio XI, 2, 20123 Milano, welcomes guests every day from 10.00 to 17.30, except Mondays.

Visitors will not be allowed inside approximately one hour before closing. Tickets can be purchased on site easily and without any queue. A ticket for an adult will cost, I repeat, €8, for a child – €5.

Pinacoteca di Brera

The largest and most famous museum in Milan, storing masterpieces of European painting, is located in the Brera quarter of Milan, in the Palazzo di Brera, a building in the late Baroque style. The ensemble of the palace is complemented by a statue of Napoleon Bonaparte, standing in the pose of a Roman in the center of the arcaded courtyard, surrounded by statues of artists and scientists.

The Pinacoteca de Brera (also known as the National Gallery), opened to the general public in 1809, houses one of the largest collections of Italian painting from the 14th to 19th centuries in Europe, as well as a remarkable collection of works by masters of European painting from the 15th to 17th centuries. The main pearl of the gallery is “The Betrothal of Our Lady” by Raphael, however, in the gallery you can find paintings by other great masters, including Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Goya and El Greco.

The halls here are decorated in the spirit of minimalism, and the interiors themselves do not distract visitors from enjoying the masterpieces of painting, but the Milan Academy of Arts is located in the same building, and restoration workshops literally occupy part of the exhibition, and it was very interesting for us to watch “live” how they work painting restorers. (I don’t know how comfortable it is for the restorers themselves to work in an environment where everyone walks around and literally “looks at someone’s hand,” but for the audience this is a truly fascinating “attraction”; you feel as if you’re even a little “involved”).

The gallery is open to visitors:

• 8.30-19.15 (ticket office until 18.40) (except Mondays and January 1, May 1 and December 25).
• Wednesdays – 8.30-21.15.
• Ticket for adults – €6, children – €3.

Santa Maria delle Grazie and The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci

The construction of the Church of Santa Maria del Grazie, the most beautiful church in Milan during the Renaissance and, today, one of the most famous churches in Italy, did not last long by Italian standards - about a quarter of a century. The church was built in the 15th century. It showed the talent of the architect Donato Bramante from Umbria, known primarily as the author of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome. The church is decorated with magnificent frescoes and medallion paintings, statues of saints.

However, the main decoration of the complex is the former refectory of the monastery, adjacent to the walls of the temple. The refectory houses a real treasure - the famous fresco by Leonardo da Vinci “The Last Supper”.

Leonardo painted this work not with the durable paints that were usually used for wall and ceiling frescoes, but with tempera, which was used at that time to create paintings on wood. This technique allowed the artist to work slowly, working out the smallest details, but since the paints did not bond with the still wet plaster when drying, as in ordinary frescoes, “The Last Supper” began to collapse during Leonardo’s lifetime.

This famous work of art has undergone a lot of restorations throughout its history, as it has suffered severe damage more than once. The last large-scale restoration lasted from 1980 to 1999, and thanks to it it was possible to preserve what was left of the great painting.

Therefore, today access to the masterpiece can only be obtained by prior application, having booked an entrance ticket at least two days before the visit (I would advise applying as early as possible, a few 3-4 months before the visit, here (on the same website you will find information , on what day tickets go on sale for the month you are interested in)). And one more thing - the restorers, after the titanic work they had done, imposed restrictions on the conditions of access to the fresco: at the same time a group of no more than 25 people is allowed into the refectory for 20 minutes, having previously carried out the procedure for removing dust from their clothes.

Sforzesco Castle and Sempione Park

One of the most famous landmarks of Milan is the Sforzesco Castle (Castello Sforzesco), which received its name in honor of Duke Francesco Sforzes, the ruler of Milan, who, together with his son Ludovico Moro, rebuilt the ancient defensive structure - the castle of the Visconti dynasty - into his own family residence in 1450. However, after the death of the former owner Filippo Maria Visconti in 1447, the castle suffered greatly from vandalism, so almost everything had to be rebuilt.

Over time, the castle turned into a luxurious residence, home to one of the most brilliant courts in Europe. Night balls were held here on a large scale, organized by Leonardo da Vinci, who, with his characteristic ingenuity, amazed the guests with various curious amusements. Behind the 4-meter walls with drawbridges, the rulers felt safe, and the Duke of Milan ran the affairs of his city from here.

Over time, during the period of Spanish and Austrian rule, the castle again turned into a military fortress: it was used as a barracks to house more than 3,000 soldiers in order to maintain imperial power. Naturally, the castle fell into decay during that period. However, in 1893-1905, large-scale restoration work was carried out, and now under the roof of the castle there are several significant museums - the City Museums of the Sforzesco Castle, also called the “Collection of Ancient Art”: the sculpture museum; Pinacoteca, Archaeological Museum (including impressive Egyptian and prehistoric collections), Museum of Musical Instruments (collection of 650 exhibits, including Stradivarius, Guarneri and Amati violins), Collection of Applied Arts, Trivulcino Library (has over 170,000 volumes and manuscripts, the most valuable copy which is the Codex Trivulcino by Leonardo da Vinci).

The courtyards and interiors of the castle are also worth visiting. One of the most luxurious rooms in the entire residence is the Sala della Balla, lavishly decorated with magnificent tapestries.

Adjacent to the north-western wall of the castle is perhaps the most popular green area in Milan - Parco Sempione. It was created on the site of the former training ground of the Sforzesco Castle in 1893 as a landscaped garden in the English style.

In the northern part of the park, in Piazza Sempione, stands the Arco della Pace, originally conceived by Napoleon I as a triumphal arch. But after Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, his time of triumphs ended and construction was suspended. In 1826, the Austrian Kaiser Franz I resumed work and dedicated the arch to the Congress of Vienna in 1814-15. To restore historical justice, the arch was eventually given its modern name - the Arch of Peace. You can take the elevator up to the arch and take in the Milanese “mix” of architectural masterpieces and glaring urban planning miscalculations. By the way, here, on the square, there is a very colorful pizzeria, and the pizza here is excellent. Just be careful when ordering: the pizza and salad portions here are simply huge.

Main observations of the trip:

If you want to wander around the museums, parks and streets of Milan without crowds and queues, then, surprisingly, you need to go on a trip just during the sales period: at this time, almost everyone who comes to the city is rushing around shopping, and You will have a great opportunity to explore all the sights “with feeling, sense and order.” For example, we walked almost alone in both Pinacothecae and in Sforzesco. Romance!

Even tickets to watch the famous “Last Supper” could be purchased immediately before the show (but we, of course, did not know about this and “insured ourselves” by purchasing tickets on-line, almost a month in advance).

It is immediately noticeable that Milan is still the “north”: unlike the southern cities of Italy, here you will hardly find pretentiousness in the design of houses and streets. But behind the most seemingly inconspicuous facades are hidden very colorful and photogenic courtyards, sometimes with a very sophisticated design. Sometimes something similar can be seen on the roofs of houses - terraces with orange orchards, cypresses and boxwoods “just for the delight of the owner’s eyes.”

Northern Italians have a concept - “habitare”, which is translated close to the text as “the art of being”. Looking at their houses, you begin to understand what real luxury means in their understanding: it is not “for show” here, there are no gold carvings or flashy heavy decorations, it is in the details, in high-quality and expensive, but not flashy, finishing materials, in stylish plumbing, ergonomic furniture, the beauty and luxury here are “for those who understand” and who know how to “be, and not seem.” It’s like a luxurious fur coat with the fur on the inside - expensive, tasteful, but without a single hint of an attempt to demonstrate one’s wealth to anyone.

This is all that we managed to see in 4 days spent in Milan (not counting shopping, of course, it deserves a separate chapter!). I wrote in detail about shopping in Milan.

What would we do if we spent more time with Milan, for example a week?

Perhaps we would visit:

1. Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio: a real treasure among the Romanesque churches of Italy of the 9th-11th centuries;
2. San Lorenzo Maggiore: This church with a huge dome, chapels and mosaic panels is considered one of the main attractions of Milan;
3. San Eustorgio: one of the most important pilgrimage churches in Northern Italy with the tallest bell tower in the city;
4. Monumental Cemetery: This huge cemetery, located in the center of the city, looks more like a sculpture park than a city of the dead;
5. excursion from Milan to Bergamo: the picturesque historical center of this town, located an hour’s drive from Milan by rail, is a real discovery when traveling through the cities of Northern Italy;
6. excursion from Milan to Vigevano: Piazza Ducale is considered the oldest and most beautiful square in the Renaissance style in Italy;
7. Pavia Certosa: this is a former Cortesian monastery, the grace and beauty of which literature never tires of glorifying, built in 1390 by the Duke of Milan Gian Visconti, located between Milan and Pavia;
8. Lake Como (Lago di Como): a repeatedly praised pearl among the lakes of Northern Italy, surrounded by gardens, villas and charming towns;
9. Lake Maggiore (Lago Maggiore), on the shores of which there are botanical gardens and luxurious palaces; Boat trips to the Borromean Islands (including Isola Bella) will allow you to fully enjoy the beauty of these places.
10. In the company of a guide, we would penetrate into the design “Mecca” of the city during the course.

You can read about shopping in Milan and its surroundings. MOSCOW - MILAN, OR THIS IS HOW IT HAPPENS (dedicated to all romantics) He looked at me with a mute, transparent gaze, I planted flowers at the freshly painted gate. He took a fashionable suitcase and walked through the apple orchard through the gate, then around the bend. I leaned against the linden tree, She whispered to me about sunny valleys, lakes and fields. I got ready for a long time, then I doubted: “Why should I go there and in what roles?” And in the morning at dawn I went for a visa and in the evening I bought a ticket from Moscow to Milan. And in a bag store with a cute name "Lisa" I spotted a lovely suitcase in the window. And the month dissolved, and the world was transformed from the tender expectations of spring warmth. Having removed all the snow and puddles, the Arbat began to fuss, and all that remained was to wait for the fifth. May came capriciously, amusing us with thunderstorms, And the streets were washed with pre-holiday rain. I canceled all the meetings, sent a hotel reservation, and the two of us went for a visa with my friend. I washed all the windows and wrote to my mother, and hid my winter boots in the closet. And without giving a drop of drama room in my soul, I’m flying on the plane, dressed up, to Milan. Getting up early at dawn, forgetting that I’m on a diet, I go to the most beautiful restaurant. After all, somewhere on the planet, on a tiny planet, my beautiful, charming suitcase is lost. And at the destination - well, without incident? But I remain with hope and believe in magic. That besides the suitcase, without any suspicious doubts, I will certainly meet him. Walking around Milan, forgetting about my suitcases, In the evening I bought a negligee for a euro. I returned to the albergo, having turned on the taps in the bathroom, and dissolved in the foam when everyone was already asleep. And in the morning I was in pajamas, calling my mother on Skype, and went out to get my suitcase after calling the receptionist. And in the hall at the piano, as in a picture in a frame, a stately, friendly monsieur sang in French. And the whole hall began to spin, and the moment stopped - I caught his gaze, I couldn’t believe it. He was also inspired and his face changed. And the thought pierced me: “That’s what I was waiting for!” "Do you know French?" - He asked me over lunch in weak English. And I said "Oui". And a year later in Paris in a beautiful white dress I repeated tenderly and reverently: “Oh, oui!” Olga Filippova (c) 03/07/2019

Anna Krivova

22.03.2019 10:40

I’ll share my poem about a girl’s fateful journey to Milan) MOSCOW - MILAN, OR THIS IS HOW IT HAPPENS(dedicated to all romantics) He looked at me with a mute, transparent gaze, I planted flowers by the freshly painted gate. He took a fashionable suitcase and walked through the apple orchard through the gate, then around the bend. I leaned against the linden tree, She whispered to me about sunny valleys, lakes and fields. I got ready for a long time, then I doubted: “Why should I go there and in what roles?” And in the morning at dawn I went for a visa and in the evening I bought a ticket from Moscow to Milan. And in a bag store with a cute name "Lisa" I spotted a lovely suitcase in the window. And the month dissolved, and the world was transformed from the tender expectations of spring warmth. Having removed all the snow and puddles, the Arbat began to fuss, and all that remained was to wait for the fifth. May came capriciously, amusing us with thunderstorms, And the streets were washed with pre-holiday rain. I canceled all the meetings, sent a hotel reservation, and the two of us went for a visa with my friend. I washed all the windows and wrote to my mother, and hid my winter boots in the closet. And without giving a drop of drama room in my soul, I’m flying on the plane, dressed up, to Milan. Getting up early at dawn, forgetting that I’m on a diet, I go to the most beautiful restaurant. After all, somewhere on the planet, on a tiny planet, my beautiful, charming suitcase is lost. And at the destination - well, without incident? But I remain with hope and believe in magic. That besides the suitcase, without any suspicious doubts, I will certainly meet him. Walking around Milan, forgetting about my suitcases, In the evening I bought a negligee for a euro. I returned to the albergo, having turned on the taps in the bathroom, and dissolved in the foam when everyone was already asleep. And in the morning I was in pajamas, calling my mother on Skype, and went out to get my suitcase after calling the receptionist. And in the hall at the piano, as in a picture in a frame, a stately, friendly monsieur sang in French. And the whole hall began to spin, and the moment stopped - I caught his gaze, I couldn’t believe it. He was also inspired and his face changed. And the thought pierced me: “That’s what I was waiting for!” "Do you know French?" - He asked me over lunch in weak English. And I said "Oui". And a year later in Paris in a beautiful white dress I repeated tenderly and reverently: “Oh, oui!” Olga Filippova (c) 03/07/2019

How lovely! Is this true?))

Tax Free is a value added tax (VAT) refund system for tourists who are not residents of Europe.

Literally a few weeks or months before the trip, I heard from my subscribers about some supposed changes in receiving Tax Free. I scoured the entire Internet, but found nothing. Well, I think maybe it hasn’t been published yet. But it turned out that there were no changes, the system was the same.

1. You make purchases from 150 euros. Moreover, this is the cost not of one thing, but of the entire purchase in one receipt. Therefore, if suddenly you are short, for example, 10 euros, finish it off with socks to receive a tax deduction.
2. You receive a receipt and a special tax free voucher in the store. Keep in mind that not all stores work with this system. But almost all stores of famous brands have it.
3. You go with these documents to the Tax Free return point. There are offices both in the Serravalle outlet itself and in Milan (in the center and at the airport).
4. You receive a Tax Free deduction (10 - 15%, part of the amount is collected by the Tax Free office for its services) in cash or on a card, whichever is more convenient for you.
5. At the airport you MUST get your Tax Free forms stamped. You will do this at the customs window where you may be asked to show your purchases! This means that you should not pack them in your luggage until they have been inspected by customs and received a stamp!
6. If you do not get a stamp and submit your forms without it, the money will be charged back to your card. Even if you have already received them in cash!

Milan known as the economic capital of Italy. Although this definition is somewhat narrow for a city that has so much to offer in both culture and entertainment. Milan seems serious only to those who are new to the ancient city. But here, nevertheless, there is something to do and see for tourists. Starting your vacation with exploring parks and palaces of aristocratic families and ending with fashionable shops and nightclubs.

✓ When you come to Milan for the first time, you simply need to visit the 10 main attractions.

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2. Gallery Vittorio Emmanuele or the Salon - a meeting place for Milanese. Here you can go shopping (although the prices are quite high) or enjoy a cup of coffee in a pleasant environment.

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✓ If this is not your first time in Milan and you have already seen the most famous places, then you can visit interesting corners that are not obvious to travelers.

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4. House of Atlantes in the very center of the city. For a long time, the famous Codex Atlanticus by Leonardo Da Vinci was kept here.

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✓ To experience true travel pleasure, find out the 10 must-do things in Milan.

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3. Football fans should definitely cheer for the famous Squadra Azzurra at Siro stadium.

Milan is the locomotive of the Italian economy, a trendsetter in European fashion and a city with an ancient history. The Romans, Goths, Gauls, Franks and Lombards left their traces on its territory. Many Milan cathedrals were founded in the first centuries of our era; in the Middle Ages, the city flourished under the ruling Sforza dynasty, and the fertile seeds of the Renaissance bore fruit in the lands of Lombardy.

Milan is known throughout the world as the capital of fashion. Tens of thousands of tourists come here to attend fashion shows, shop at top designer boutiques, or go out and show off among the fashion-conscious elite. For opera fans, a trip to the legendary La Scala theater will be a real pleasure, where you can enjoy the sound of the best opera voices.

The best hotels and inns at affordable prices.

from 500 rubles/day

What to see and where to go in Milan?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walks. Photos and brief description.

The magnificent Milan Cathedral, a striking representative of the elegant architectural movement of Flamboyant Gothic. Construction of the temple began in the 14th century; finishing of some elements of the facade was completed only by 1965. The Milan Cathedral is built entirely of white marble; it is one of the most beautiful churches not only in Italy, but throughout Europe. Inside is a golden statue of Madonna, the patroness of Milan.

The theater is rightfully considered the best opera stage in the world. Behind the austere and modest façade of the neoclassical building lies a luxurious auditorium with ideal acoustics. La Scala was opened in 1778, and Salieri's opera La Recognized Europe was chosen as the premiere production. The stage of the famous theater hosted the first showings of great works by Verdi, Puccini, Bellini, and Donizetti. E. Caruso, F. Chaliapin, M. Callas, L. Pavarotti and other famous soloists performed here at different times.

A picturesque Milanese church attached to a Dominican monastery, built during the heyday of the Renaissance. Construction of the temple began under Duke Francesco Sforza I, who planned to place a family tomb here. The main attraction of the church is the luxurious fresco “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci. On it the master depicted the last supper of Jesus with his disciples, after which Christ was betrayed by Judas and crucified.

One of the oldest churches in Western Europe. Presumably, the first church arose on this site already in the 4th century AD; it served as an imperial chapel. The building that has survived to this day belongs to a later period, but the outer walls of the basilica of the 4th century have survived. In the church square there is a statue of the Roman Emperor Constantine, under whom Christianity became an officially recognized religion.

Temple of the 4th century AD, presumably built with the participation of St. Ambrose of Milan. It is believed that the basilica was erected on the very spot where the first Christians were martyred. At first the church was called “Basilica of Martyrs”. The building acquired a Romanesque appearance in the 11th century. During the bombing of Milan in 1943, the basilica was damaged, but the medieval buildings survived and are preserved to this day.

Art gallery, an outstanding collection of Italian painters and sculptors. The 38 halls of the museum house paintings by Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Lotto, Tintoretto and other famous masters. The museum collection also includes paintings by recognized artists from other countries - Goya, Rembrandt, El Greco. The Pinakothek is housed in a 16th-century palace and shares premises with the Academy of Arts.

The oldest public library in Europe, founded at the beginning of the 17th century. The book collection was opened with the participation of the hierarchs of the Catholic Church. The main goal of the library was to fight the ideas of the Church Reformation, which very quickly spread throughout European countries. Over time, its own art gallery appeared here. The library contains unique manuscripts, tomes, medieval books (some dating back to the 5th century AD), and drawings by Leonardo da Vinci.

The exhibition is located on the territory of a 16th-century monastery. This is one of the most interesting museums in Milan. Here are the inventions of mankind created in different historical periods. Visitors will see various models of engines, watches, musical instruments, cars, telegraphs, telephones and other technical devices. The main hall is dedicated to the creative work of Leonardo da Vinci.

The first exhibits of the Poldi Pezzoli museum collection were medieval weapons and armor from the private collection of Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli. Subsequently, the aristocrat's mansion was turned into a museum. Italian antique furniture, sculptures, Flemish tapestries, Venetian glass and antique ceramics are exhibited here. An impressive part of the collection consists of paintings.

A classic palace and park ensemble of the late 18th – early 19th centuries. The palace was built for Count Belgioioso. For some time, the residence of Napoleon and his wife Josephine was located here. After the re-establishment of the Habsburg dynasty over Lombardy, the villa was used as a royal palace for the Austrian governors. Since 1921, the palace has housed the Museum of Modern Art.

The majestic Castello Sforzesco is located in the historical center of Milan. It was built as a defensive fortress in the 15th century after the Sforza family seized power. The luxurious interiors of the castle were created with the participation of Bramante and Leonardo da Vinci. By the end of the 15th century, Sforzesco became one of the richest and most luxurious ducal palaces in Italy. The castle survived Spanish rule and the reign of Napoleon. In the 19th century, large-scale reconstruction was carried out.

A high-rise building of the mid-20th century designed by the architect D. Ponti. It was built by the decision of the head of the Pirelli company (Italian manufacturer of car tires). The building was used as the headquarters and production facilities of the organization. The tower became known as the first skyscraper in Italy. The height of the structure is 127 meters. Today, the Pirelli skyscraper houses office space.

An Italian skyscraper that was once included in the list of the most unattractive buildings in the world. This is a mid-20th century building with elements of neo-modernism, symbolizing a medieval bastion. The shape of the tower resembles a mushroom or a giant rocket crashing into the ground. The building is included in the list of main attractions of Milan; the city hall has designated it as one of the city symbols.

The monument is located in the central square opposite the stock exchange building. Many city residents do not like this controversial piece of contemporary art. The sculpture represents a giant human hand with all fingers severed except the middle one. The composition is very reminiscent of a well-known indecent gesture. The monument was created by master Maurizzio Cattelan.

Arena of the Internazionale and Milan football clubs, built at the beginning of the 20th century. Initially it was designed for 35 thousand seats, but as a result of expansions it could accommodate up to 65 thousand spectators. The stadium was renamed in 1979 in honor of the player Giuseppe Meazza. For fans, this successful forward was an object of admiration. These days, both names for the football arena are used. Concerts of famous bands are regularly held at San Siro.

Milan city park next to Castello Sforzesco. The territory is decorated with fountains and sculptures, lawns with fragrant flowers are scattered between the pedestrian paths, and the most picturesque space has been created for visitors. Every resident of Milan or guest of the city can relax under the canopy of Sempione trees. The park was established at the end of the 19th century on the site of the ducal hunting grounds.

A burial site and at the same time an open-air sculpture park. Here are the graves of famous people - writers, composers, artists. The great musical genius of Italy, Giuseppe Verdi, is buried in the cemetery. Crypts and tombstones are real works of art; each sculpture seems to be trying to surpass its neighbors in beauty and elegance.

The city canal of Milan, along which there is a street with the most famous and visited shops, restaurants, and art workshops in the city. The Naviglio Grand is part of a system of five canals that have been preserved from past times. Several centuries ago, the Milanese wanted to turn their city into a semblance of Venice, so intensive construction of canals began, but this idea quickly lost popularity.

A passage connecting the square near the La Scala theater with the square of the Milan Cathedral. The gallery was inaugurated in 1877 and named after King Victor Emmanuel II, who attended the ceremony. The structure is built in the shape of a Latin cross, with one entrance at each end. The gallery is decorated with mosaic frescoes and statues, which were created by the most skilled craftsmen in Italy.

20. “Golden Quadrilateral” of Milan

High fashion district, popular shopping destination. The best boutiques in Italy are located here. In the “Golden Quadrangle” you can not only buy clothes from designers Valentino, Prado, Ferragamo, Dolce, but also have shoes made to order, dine in a restaurant for the fashion establishment, or choose jewelry from the world's best jewelry brands.

Milan... how much has merged in this sound for the Russian heart... Just a joke, of course. Although, why not, Milan is a favorite destination for trips from Russia to Italy. And it's not just about shopping. Indeed, Milan is one of the most important centers of the fashion industry. This is a good reason to come here. But far from the only one. The city is attractive from many points of view: business, culture, sports, gastronomy - in all these areas Milan is no less interesting than in the field of fashion and style. In addition, it is convenient to travel through Milan to the sea coast, lakes, and the Alps, and even Venice, due to the presence of high-speed trains, seems not far away at all.

In short, when you go to Milan, you can be sure that there are all the possibilities for organizing a good trip. Actually, the key organizational issues will be discussed further.

How to get to Milan

Alitalia, Aeroflot and Rossiya airlines operate direct flights to Milan. True, they only fly from Moscow and St. Petersburg, and ticket prices are usually not encouraging. Therefore, it is worth taking a closer look at other options (including connecting flights), which will not be difficult to find using sites such as www.skyscanner.ru, www.momondo.ru and www.aviasales.ru. At the same time, not only Milan, but also nearby Bergamo, where the Russian low-cost airline Pobeda flies, can be considered as destinations. It is also worth taking into account flights to Genoa and Verona, where S7 Airlines flies, although getting to Milan through these cities is not as convenient as through Bergamo.

In addition, you can get to Milan by train Moscow - Nice, without transfers. True, he arrives at night. Read more about the railway connection between Russia and Italy.

Where to stay in Milan

There are a great variety of hotels, apartments, guest houses and other accommodation options in Milan. However, when choosing a place to live in Milan, you need to take into account that this is a rather large city. Therefore, before booking a hotel or apartment, you should take a closer look at the geography of the city and decide which areas are of greatest interest to you. For this purpose, we recommend that you refer to the article “Where to stay in Milan”. Here we will limit ourselves to only brief remarks.

Perhaps one of the most convenient areas from a tourist point of view is the area around the central train station Milano Centrale. Express trains from Malpensa airport arrive here, trains depart from here to other major Italian cities (Rome, Venice, Florence, etc.) and to neighboring countries (Switzerland, France, Germany, etc.), and the main Milan attractions and shopping The streets are quite accessible even on foot. There are many decent hotels here: for example, the excellent five-star Excelsior Hotel Gallia, a stone's throw from the station building, or the four-star Starhotels Echo. There are other, more budget options: for example, Hotel Flora and Esco Hotel Milano.

If you are not tied to the station, the choice expands significantly. The city's public transport system is quite convenient. In the end, you can get from the airport to Milan by taxi, which you can take on the spot, or by pre-ordering a transfer (see, for example,) so as not to drag around the city with suitcases. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to other areas. In particular, take a closer look at the area around the Duomo. This is the very, very center of Milan. Living here is convenient both in terms of shopping and sightseeing. Nearby hotels include, for example, Armani Hotel Milano and Hotel Spadari Al Duomo. Read more about accommodation in this area.

How to get around Milan

The distances between the Duomo, the Fashion District, the Castello Sforzesco, the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and many other iconic sites in central Milan are quite manageable on foot. Therefore, in many cases, you can move around the city center without any problems, without resorting to public transport or taxis. However, it is unlikely to be possible to do without transport completely. For example, if you need to get from the Central Station to the same Duomo, you will have to walk for at least half an hour. You can walk lightly, but it’s probably not worth it with luggage.

Fortunately, the public transport system in Milan is excellent. There is a metro here that covers almost the entire city center, and if you can’t get somewhere by metro, you can always resort to trams or buses, and also, if necessary, commuter trains. Detailed information about routes, tariffs, etc. can be found on the official website of the Milan transport company – www.atm.it.

What to see in Milan

Milan is associated more with modernity than with history, and therefore there is an opinion that there is nothing special to see here: the Duomo and Castello Sforzesco - that’s all. But it is not so.

For example, in the refectory at the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie) you can find one of the greatest creations in the history of fine art - the fresco “The Last Vespers” by Leonardo da Vinci.

The National Museum of Science and Technology (Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Technologia Leonardo da Vinci), located, by the way, not far from the church mentioned above, is inextricably linked with the name of Leonardo da Vinci.

It is worth mentioning Milan's art galleries. Among them, we especially highlight the Pinacoteca di Brera, the Ambrosian Pinacoteca (Pinacoteca Ambrosiana) and the Gallery of Modern Art (Galleria d’arte moderna).

Finally, La Scala. Although this is no longer “watching”, but “listening.”

The Milanese parks of Sempione (Parco Sempione, next to Castello Sforzesco) and Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli (near the Porta Venezia gate) also deserve special attention - very pleasant places for walks, especially in the summer, when Milan can be unbearably hot.

Where to go from Milan

As mentioned above, from Milan you can go to the sea, to the lakes, or to the mountains. In addition, in the surrounding area you can find many small but very interesting towns. Perhaps we’ll start our review of travel destinations from Milan with them.

From Milan you can take a day trip to Bergamo, Brescia, Novara, Piacenza and Pavia. All of these are ancient cities, each with its own unique history. They are worth a visit, especially if you have already been to Italy and want to get to know this country better.

If you are traveling to Italy for the first time, then it may be worth expanding your horizons a little and going, for example, to Turin (Torino), Verona (Verona) or Bologna (Bologna). Genoa is also of interest, despite the fact that many travelers believe that there is absolutely nothing to do there. In addition, you can go to Venice (Venezia) and Florence (Firenze), but only for the sake of a first acquaintance, because these cities should be given at least two or three days, and you have to travel far.

Finally, let's say a few words about the lakes. First of all, attention should be paid to the lake. Como (Lago di Como) and lake. Maggiore (Lago Maggiore). A little further away, but also within reach, is the lake. Garda (Lago di Garda). In addition, we can mention Lake Iseo (Lago d'Iseo). It is perhaps not as popular among tourists as the three lakes listed above, but no less beautiful.