Exploring Milan

There is a lot to do in Italy’s fashion capital that doesn’t involve fashion!

Milan is an extraordinary city with a rich history and a plethora of places to visit and unique experiences.

Here are a few suggestions if you only have 2-3 days.

The Impressive Duomo

Impossible to miss is Milan’s magnificent Gothic cathedral which is the fifth largest Christian church in the world. They say there are more statues on this cathedral than any other building in the world. I’m talking 3,400 statues, 135 gargoyles and 700 figures!

Construction officially started in 1386 spanning over six centuries and it’s still not finished! Though originally started in terracotta stone, once the grandeur of the project was realised, Candoglia marble from Lake Maggiore was chosen. The entire building is constructed of this pink-hued white marble.

To bring the marble from the quarries of Candoglia, canals were dug leading to the construction site which are called navigli. Thousands of artists, sculptors and specialised workers were involved including at least 78 architects from across Europe. After its consecration in 1418 the cathedral remained incomplete for centuries. Politics, lack of money, indifference for a seemingly never-ending project and other setbacks kept it on standby for what seemed forever. It was actually Napoleon who finished the facade and organised the final stages of construction in the early 19th century.

Restoration and cleaning are an ongoing project resulting in scaffolding invariably surrounding parts of the Duomo.

The Navigli neighbourhood dating back to 1179

A 30 minute walk or a 20 minute tram ride from the Duomo will take you to the charming, buzzy district of Navigli. It gets its name from the two man-made canals that cross it - the Naviglio Grande and the Naviglio Pavese. Today, the area is filled with cool bars and art galleries, decorated bridges across the canals, hip restaurants and vintage shops.

Brera - the artists’ quarter of Milan

Once a fishing village when the boats arrived via the canal from the Northern Lakes; a red light district with brothels and seedy taverns in the beginning of the 1900s; today a vibrant area with a bohemian atmosphere and cobblestone streets.

For centuries, Brera has attracted artists and designers who came to study at the art academy within the internationally acclaimed Museum Pinacoteca di Brera. Soon after it opened, Napoleon, the newly crowned King of Italy, is said to have intended the Pinacoteca to become the Louvre of Italy. Recommended as the quintessential destination for art enthusiasts, the famous art gallery offers a treasure trove of masterpieces spanning centuries. Its impressive collection, displayed elegantly in ornate rooms, includes works by Caravaggio, Raphael and Titian.

The Last Supper

No trip to Milan is complete without visiting Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper, one of the world’s most mysterious works of art. You will find it in the Santa Maria delle Grazie church and convent.

Designed by Bramonte in the early Renaissance style, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Italy’s gems. Completed in 1469, it was severely damaged during World War II when much of the refectory was destroyed. However, some walls remained intact, including Da Vinci’s great masterpiece of the Last Supper. The work, commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, was believed to be completed between 1495-1498.

Visiting the Last Supper can be complicated. Limits are in place, allowing only 30 people at a time inside the climate-controlled room for a 15 minute visit. This has made tickets highly sought after, often only becoming available online three months before booking.

Leonardo da Vinci Museum - Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia

The largest science and technology museum in Italy is dedicated to one of the greatest artists of all time, Leonardo da Vinci. It opened in February 1953 and is located inside a 16th century monastery, not far from Santa Maria delle Grazie.

The enormity and number of exhibitions is mind boggling. In fact, you could get lost here for three days and not see everything. Permanent displays, some of which are housed in outdoor hangars, include steam trains, planes and Italy’s first submarine. The Space exhibition offers interactive experiences and a fragment of moon rock. There are 700 metres dedicated to Nutrition called FoodPeople - a journey around food. There is a brilliant display of the life cycle of products and the largest exhibition in the world dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci. It truly is endless.

Quadrilatero d’Oro: Milan’s golden shopping rectangle

Made up of four streets of pure fashion, the Quadrilatero d’Oro is every shopaholic’s dream - if you have deep pockets. Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga, Via Manzoni and Via Sant’Andrea showcase all the famous Italian designers. However, there are also many small boutiques in Milan selling “Made in Italy” fashion at affordable prices while still maintaining the quality and elegance that Italian fashion is famous for.

TRAVEL TIP

Money

For all of my travellers this year, here are five handy tips to prepare you for your journey.

• Leave any credit/debit cards that you don’t need at home.

• Don’t leave with a lot of cash, as the exchange rate you receive at banks/post office/currency converter places/airports is always lower than the rate you receive on your travel card.

• There are ATMs close to our hotels in every place we stay.

• Italy is still very much a cash society, which means you accumulate a lot of coins. A separate coin purse is a good idea.

• Have a travel card preloaded with euros before departure.

  
  Two cards that offer the best exchange rate are Revolut and Wise. You can click on the link to find out more and order a card online.

Ci vediamo la prossima settimana.

Deb Taylor

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