8 Incredible Places To See In Milan
Milan is a city that perfectly combines history and modernity. A city always lively and considered one of the great capitals of fashion. We want to show you the main attractions that must be seen in Milan, so that you can start organizing your trip.
Corners to see in Milan
Whether you only have one weekend, or if you can extend your stay for a few more days, the second largest city in Italy will have something to teach you that will amaze you. If you are going for a short time, we recommend that you read the following list with the essential things to see in Milan :
1. Il Duomo
Of course we couldn’t start any other way. The cathedral is “the” attraction par excellence of the metropolis. Il Duomo, is a wonderful Gothic-style temple with an unmistakable physiognomy.
Its dimensions are staggering, as it can hold 40,000 people inside. It is 157 meters long and its construction began in 1386. Be sure to go up to its terrace to admire its characteristic spiers and fabulous views of the city .
2. Alla Scala Theater
This venue dedicated to opera is one of the most famous in the world. One of the rules of the place is that all works must finish before midnight. Therefore, the ones that are longer start earlier.
It opened its doors in 1778 and has a capacity for 2,000 people. It had to be remodeled several times, the last one between 2002 and 2004. If you like opera, be sure to enjoy one of the shows and, if you are not too attracted to it, take a guided tour, it is worth it.
3. Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery
This beautiful gallery is another of the things to see in Milan. It is a building with two arches and a glass vault that forms an octagon. It is located north of the Duomo square and its name recalls Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of unified Italy.
The gallery was built between 1865 and 1877 and features a cast iron roof and glass arches. Inside you can see all kinds of shops, hotels and renowned restaurants.
4. Church Santa Maria delle Grazie
It belongs to the Order of the Preaching Brothers and in its refectory we can see neither more nor less than one of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpieces, The Last Supper . The convent and church were built in 1463 and were completed around 1482. The interior of the temple is in the Gothic style.
5. Palazzo dell’Ambrosiana
If you are an art lover, do not hesitate to visit this beautiful palace, which houses an amazing art gallery. Here you can admire works by Botticelli, Caravaggio, Titian and sketches by Leonardo da Vinci.
Another of its jewels is the library, with shelves full of books ranging from an original copy of The Iliad from the 5th century to editions by Bocaccio, Virgilio and Dante.
6. Castello Sforzesco
It is located in the old town and is another must see in Milan. It was built in the 15th century, it has a square plan and four towers, one in each corner.
Today it houses the various museums and collections : the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Ancient Art (which exhibits the latest sculpture by Michelangelo), the picture gallery, the Museum of Musical Instruments, the Museum of Antique Furniture and a collection of applied arts.
7. Sempione Park
This green lung is another of the things to see in Milan. It is next to the castle, in the old town and was built in 1890 on the remains of a square used as a military formation. It is named after the Sempione tunnel, which leads to Switzerland, Piedmont and the canton of Valais.
8. Giuseppe Meazza Stadium
Also known as “San Siro”, it is the stadium that houses the city’s two teams: Inter and AC Milan. It was inaugurated in 1926 and decisive football matches were held here during the 1934 and 1990 World Cups, the 1980 Euro Cup and several European Cup finals. It can be visited on a guided tour that includes entrance to the stadium and the museum.