While Rome was the highlight of my visit to Italy during my Europe trip, Milan was actually my first stop. The Italian financial and fashion center is not as popular as the likes of Venice or Florence for travelling but I thought Milan was a fine city to visit. It is one of Italy’s most prosperous cities, being the site of the country’s stock exchange, but also has a very old historical heritage. It is said to have been founded in 600 BC by the Celts and was part of the Roman empire. However, Milan also fell under the control of the Habsburgs from the 16th to mid-19th centuries.
I’d chosen to visit Milan not because of finance, fashion or even football (I’m not a fan of Inter or AC Milan), but for its giant, white Duomo cathedral, plus the fact it was in Northern Italy and just a few hours from my previous stop in France. In addition, the city also had the fascinating Sforza castle, the 4th century AD-built Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio, as well as the beautiful Galleria Vittorio Emmanuelle, which is right next to the Duomo. There were also the Pinocoteca di Brera art gallery, with its many fine paintings, and a very interesting science and technology museum.
When I arrived at Milan’s Porto Garibaldi station and took the subway to my hotel, I had little idea of what to expect. I was wary of the language barrier and getting around, but it turned out to be relatively easy. I actually found that there was more English in Milan than in France, such as in museums and on street signs. Also, my hotel turned out to be Chinese-run, so I ended up speaking Chinese to the staff. Interesting, there seems to be a small Chinese community in Milan, consisting both of immigrants and students.
The Duomo was as impressive in real life as in the photos I’d seen, especially the massive interior where it felt like being in a cavern. The giant columns, stained glass windows and various statues were very attractive. I also went up to the roof where you can get a good view of the surrounding area as well as see the myriad spires and other structures atop the Duomo.
The open area in front of the cathedral was packed with people, including tourists, locals as well as dodgy characters holding strings which they are said to tie on unsuspecting tourists’ wrists and force them to pay money. Next to the Duomo is the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuelle, a high-end open shopping arcade with very attractive roof and floor decorations. On the floor tiles in the center, there were four coat of arms, those of Rome, Florence, Turin (capitals of the Kingdom of Italy), and Milan. Turin’s coat of arms features a giant bull on whose testicles (yes, really) which people stand upon and spin themselves because doing so is said to bring good luck. So many people do that so that there is a hole on the spot where the bull’s testicles are.
Milan’s coat of arms in the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuelle
Statue of Victor (Vittorio) Emmanuelle, the first King of Italy when it was unified in the mid-19th century
Saint Bartholomew (who was said to have been flayed) with his skin wrapped around him
In the middle in the distance (the tower with a spire) is the Unicredit Tower, Milan’s tallest building.
You can also visit the Duomo’s crypt to view archaeological remains.
