TRAVEL MILAN
TRAVEL MILAN
GENERAL INFORMATION-Milan is the second-most populous city in Italy after Rome. Milan is the main industrial, commercial and financial centre of Italy and a leading global city. It is the world’s capital of Fashion & Design. Internationally famous fashion companies Armani, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana are based in the city. Milan is located centrally between Switzerland, the French Riviera, Florence and Venice. From Milan, Rome is reachable on a fast train in as little as 3 hours and Venice in less than 3 hours. Milan attracts more than two million annual visitors. The area of city is 182Km2 with population of 13, 17,000. It’s Coordinates: 45°28′N 09°11′E.Milan became the capital of the Western Roman Empire. During the Middle Ages, Milan flourished as a commercial and banking centre .Milan is home to two of the world's major football teams, A.C. Milan and F.C. Internazionale Milano. Milan doesn't fully feel like a part of Italy. Milan feels more like a bustling, busy, fashionable business capital, where in several cafes, lots of people only stop to have a quick espresso at the bar counter. Milan, unlike the traditionally red-terracotta roofed Italian cities, is quite grey, as many buildings are constructed using limestone or dark stones. Ancient buildings mainly have a sort of Austrian/Germanic neoclassical look with some slight French influences.
HISTORY-Celtic tribes settled along the river Po in the 7th century BC. In 222 BC Roman legions marched into the territory, defeated the Gallic Insubres tribe and occupied the town, which they called Mediolanum (Middle of the Plain). In 222 B.C. the city was conquered by Romans and it was annexed to the Roman Empire, getting the name of Mediolanum. It became a permanent Latin colony in 89 B.C. By 42 B.C. In his reorganisation of Italy in 15 B.C., emperor Augustus made Milan the capital of Transpadania region, including the towns of Como, Bergamo, Pavia and Lodi and extending as far west as Turin. From 292 A.D. Mediolanum became the effective capital of the western emperor. It was a very important centre for the consolidation of the new Christian religion. Some Milanese churches (like San Lorenzo, Sant'Ambrogio and Sant'Eustorgio) have early Christian origins. After 313 A.D., the year of the Edict of Tolerance towards Christianity issued by Constantine the Great, many churches were built and the first bishop, St Ambrose, was appointed: Ambrogio was such an influential person that the church became the Ambrosian Church. Although Milan became less important as the Roman Empire declined. The city suffered the invasion of Lombards who first sacked (539 A.D.) and then conquered it in 569 A.D. Mediolanum’s key position on the trade routes between Rome and north Western Europe ensured its continued prosperity. It fell under Spanish rule in 1535 and Austrian in 1713. Napoleon made Milan the capital of his Cisalpine Republic in 1797 and, five years later, of his Italian Republic, crowning himself king of Italy in 1805. Austria returned in 1814 but troops under Vittorio Emanuele II and Napoleon III crushed the Austrian forces in 1859 and Milan became part of the Kingdom of Italy.
AREA-181.76KM2
POPULATION- 13, 53,900 (CITY)
CO-ORDINATES- 45°28′N 09°11′E
TIME ZONE- UTC+1 AND IN Summer UTC+2
CLIMATE-
POPULATION- 13, 53,900 (CITY)
CO-ORDINATES- 45°28′N 09°11′E
TIME ZONE- UTC+1 AND IN Summer UTC+2
CLIMATE-
MONTH JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC
HIGH 0C 5 8 13 17 22 26 29 28 24 19 10 5
LOW 0C- 2 0.1 3 7 11 15 17 17 13 8 4 -1
HIGH 0C 5 8 13 17 22 26 29 28 24 19 10 5
LOW 0C- 2 0.1 3 7 11 15 17 17 13 8 4 -1
AIRPORT-Milan has two main international air gateways, Linate airport and Malpensa airport.
Malpensa is a large, modern, two-runway airport.The airport has two terminals, with Terminal 1 being the largest international and intercontinental flights. Terminal 2 is used by a number of budget airlines. Malpensa Airport consists of two passenger terminals which are located several kilometres apart: Malpensa Express Trains is the only frequent railway link between Malpensa and central Milan. It is located 40 kilometres (25 mi) northwest of central Milan, Italy.
MILAN SIGHTS & ATTRACTONS-
Malpensa is a large, modern, two-runway airport.The airport has two terminals, with Terminal 1 being the largest international and intercontinental flights. Terminal 2 is used by a number of budget airlines. Malpensa Airport consists of two passenger terminals which are located several kilometres apart: Malpensa Express Trains is the only frequent railway link between Malpensa and central Milan. It is located 40 kilometres (25 mi) northwest of central Milan, Italy.
MILAN SIGHTS & ATTRACTONS-
001-MILAN CATHEDRAL (Dumo Di Milano) -The Duomo, a symbol of Milan all over the world, is the second biggest Gothic cathedrals in the world and after Seville Cathedral. It is the fifth largest cathedral in the world and can hold 40,000 people within. The heritage of the Milanese and of mankind, it has expressed for centuries, in all its grandeur. The Duomo is literally at the centre of Milan. Streets radiate from the cathedral or circle it. The cathedral occupies a site that has been the most central location in the city. The Dumo is 520ft long, 300 ft wide with 356ft height. The work was started in 1385 and completed in 1965 after about 600 years. There are front five doorways and the central one is the oldest. The panels on the doors depict episodes in the lives of the virgin Mary, Saint Ambrose (patron of Milan) and Saint Charles Borromeo as well as scenes from the history of Milan. The Duomo is decorated with an amazing number of beautifully sculpted statues and spires. There are more statues on this building than any other in the world, 3159 in total. 2245 of these are on the exterior together with 96 gargoyles and 135 spires. The most famous of all these is the Madonnina (Little Madonna), a copper statue of the virgin Mary covered with 3900 pieces of gold leaf. The statue is 14 ft high, was placed on top of the cathedral's tallest spire IN 1762. There are five large naves divided by fifty-two pillars - one for each week of the year - that support the cross vaulted ceiling. The great windows of the choir are reputed to be the largest in the world. The roof climb provides a unique and memorable opportunity to walk high on the roofs of the huge Gothic cathedral. The views are magnificent and the opportunity to see the pinnacles and sculptures close up along the way is worth the climb alone. Entrance is from the north side of the cathedral (walk around left from the front).There is also an elevator for a price.
002-VICTOR EMMANUEL II GALLERY(GALLERIA VITTORIO EMANUELE II) - The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is one of the world's oldest shopping malls. This is an impressive four story arcade covered with a glass and iron roof. The nineteenth century structure is decorated with patriotic mosaics and statues. The first stone was laid on March 7, 1865 by king Victor Emmanuel II and inaugurated on September 15, 1867.It is like a Latin cross with walkways 196mx106m. The two iron and glass covered walkways meet at an octagonal central piazza below a grand forty-seven meter high, thirty-six meter wide glass dome. The entrance from the Piazza del Duomo is framed by a monumental triumphal arch. The Galleria symbolized Italian unity and self-confidence, so the arcade is decorated with patriotic symbols. Mosaics on the floor below the dome depict the coat of arms of Savoy and Italian cities are represented: a wolf for Rome, a lily for Florence, a bull for Turin and a white flag with red cross for Milan Stepping with the heel of your foot on the genitals of the bull, turn on himself three time is supposed to bring good luck. The four mosaics in the lunettes below the central dome represent four parts of the world, Europe, America, Africa and Asia. The Galleria connects two of Milan's most famous landmarks. The Duomo and the Teatro Alla Scala. The Galleria is famous for being home to some of the oldest shops and restaurants in Milan, such as Biffi Caffè (founded in 1867), the Savini restaurant, the silverware store Bernasconi and the Art Nouveau classic Zucca's Bar.
003- SFORZESCO CASTLE (Castello Sforzesco) - The Castle Was Constructed in 1368 by Duke of Milan. It had the layout of four walls each of 180m long with four towers at each corner. There are four imposing towers at each corner, two round towers at the main facade facing the city and two square towers at the other end. The thirty-one meter tall, round towers are known as the Torre di Santi Spirito and the Torre del Carmine. At the rear are two more conventional towers, the Torre Castellana and Torre Falconiera. Castello Sforzesco is home to a number of museums, the Musei Civici and art collections. The castle houses the Museums of the Castello with rarities such as the last masterpiece of Michelangelo, the unfinished Pietà Rondanini and the frescoes by Leonardo da Vinci and Bramante. The ground floor of the Ducal Courtyard: Museum of Ancient Art, with the last masterpiece of Michelangelo, the unfinished marble statue “Pieta Rondanini. First floor of the Ducal Courtyard: Museum of antique furniture and art collections, with a portrait of Galeazzo Maria Sforza. In the halls of Rocchetta: Collections of Applied Art and a museum of historical musical instruments. The “Torre Castellana” houses on the ground floor the treasury "Sala del Tesoro" with frescoes by Bramantino. On the underground level of the Rocchetta and Sala Viscontea are the Prehistoric and the Egyptian Museum. Behind the castle is the Sempione Park with the Peace Arch Arco della Pace, the steel tower Torre Branca and the Triennale Design Museum with exhibitions of Italian design. One of the prettiest fountains in Milan Italy can be found directly in front of the Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco).
004- SANTA MARIA DELLE GRAZIE -The Santa Maria delle Grazie is one of Milan's most beautiful churches due to its architectural history, which resulted in an intriguing combination of Gothic and Renaissance design. The church was completed in 1490. Adjoining the church is a modest building, known as the Cenacolo Vinciano and is now famous for Leonardo da Vinci's painting of The Last Supper. The Italian master created the wall painting between 1495 and 1498. The artist depicts the moment after Jesus tells his disciples that one of them will betray him. Opposite Leonardo's masterpiece is a fresco painted by Donato Montorfano. Visitors must be dressed in appropriate attire for entering a church.
005-LA SCALA- La Scala is a world renowned opera house in Milan. The theatre was inaugurated on 3 August 1778. Today, the theatre is still recognised as one of the leading opera and ballet theatres in the world and is home to the La Scala Theatre Chorus, La Scala Theatre Ballet and La Scala Theatre Orchestra. The theatre had a total over 3,000 seats organized into 678 pit-stalls, arranged in six tiers of boxes above which is the 'loggione' or two galleries for less wealthy people. Its stage is one of the largest in Italy (16.15m d x 20.4m w x 26m h).
006-FASHION DISTRICT-Sience the ninteenth century this area has been known as the Quadrilatero d'Oro (golden quadrilateral), includes such famous streets as Via Montenapoleone, Via Della Spiga and Via Manzoni. Most of these streets are pedestrianized, making this area perfect for a stroll. Each of the streets has its own list of design houses.
i-Via Montenapoleone- It is named after a bank - the Monte Napoleone. This was the first street known for its luxurious fashion. Visitors can see shops of the designers as Gucci, Versace, Luis Vuitton Hermes, Fashion District, Milan and others.
ii-Via Sant'Andrea-The Museo di Milano, a museum that documents the history of the city, is housed in the eighteenth century Palazzo Morando Attendolo Bolognini. On this lovely street, designers such as Chanel, Armani and Hermès are situated.
iii- Via della Spiga-Once the domain of bakeries, the street is now home to designer stores such as Bulgari, Krizia, Sergio Rossi, Dolce and Gabbana and numerous others.
i-Via Montenapoleone- It is named after a bank - the Monte Napoleone. This was the first street known for its luxurious fashion. Visitors can see shops of the designers as Gucci, Versace, Luis Vuitton Hermes, Fashion District, Milan and others.
ii-Via Sant'Andrea-The Museo di Milano, a museum that documents the history of the city, is housed in the eighteenth century Palazzo Morando Attendolo Bolognini. On this lovely street, designers such as Chanel, Armani and Hermès are situated.
iii- Via della Spiga-Once the domain of bakeries, the street is now home to designer stores such as Bulgari, Krizia, Sergio Rossi, Dolce and Gabbana and numerous others.
007-PIAZZA DEL DUOMO- Piazza del Duomo ("Cathedral Square") is the main piazza of Milan. The piazza marks the centre of the city. Rectangular in shape and it is the foremost tourist attraction of the city. The monumental buildings that mark its side’s are-Royal Palace, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II arcade with Palazzo Settentrionale, The Monument to King Victor Emmanuel II and other buildings and is connected with Piazza della Scala which houses theatre, the Teatro alla Scala.
008-ROYAL PALACE- The Royal Palace of Milan was the seat of government of the Italian city of Milan for many centuries, but today is an important cultural centre, home to exhibitions.
009-PIAZZA DELLA SCALA- Piazza della Scala is a pedestrianized square created in the nineteenth century in front of the famous La Scala theatre. The square can be reached via the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a magnificent glass-covered arcade that connects the Piazza del Duomo with the Piazza della Scala. The most famous building lining the square is the La Scala. Other building is the Palazzo Marino, the city hall of Milan opposite the Teatro alla Scala. In 1872 a monument was erected at the square in honour of Leonardo da Vinci, considered one of the most multi-talented people to have ever walked on this planet. The monument, shows Leonardo da Vinci on a large pedestal. At the foot of the pedestal stand his four favourite students. Reliefs depict painting, sculpting, engineering and architecture.
010-SEMPIONE PARK- Sempione Park (Parco Sempione) is Milan's 116 acre urban park located between Piazza Sempione and the Sforza Castle (Castello Sforzesco). Visitors to Sempione Park can enjoy formal gardens, monuments, fountains and a great view of the Arco della Pace. As this area is on the back of castle so it was used as a hunting ground in old days .There are several buildings the most important is Arco della Pace, which was built in 1807 as a Victory Arch.
011- PIAZZA CORDUSIO- Piazza Cordusio in one of Milan's two main town squares and is a major transportation hub for Milan's streetcars. Piazza Cordusio is situated in the centre of Milan where Via Vercanti, Via Dante and other streets intersect. Piazza del Duomo and Piazza Cordusio are connected by Via Mercanti a busy pedestrian street .Piazza Cordusio connects Milan Castle by Via Dante a pedestrian street.
012-CENTRAL STATION- The railway station was built between 1912 to 1931.It is a stone façade building 680 feet wide and topped with statues of winged horses. Wide stairs and long escalators lead to the magnificently vaulted booking hall and concourse. The architecture is influenced by the Baths of Caracalla in Rome and Beaux-Arts railway station in USA.
013-PIRELLI TOWER- The slender Pirelli Tower was the first building in Milan to surpass the height of the cathedral. The Pirelli Tower is a 127 m (including antenna) high building. It was the first building rose above the top of Duomo. The most striking aspect of the Pirelli Tower's design is its slender shape as 75.5m wide and 20.50m deep with 32 floors. The tower was completed in 1960.
014-TORRE VELASCA-It was built in 1950.It is a peculiarly shaped tower symbolized a new, more modern Milan. It is a 106m tall building with multifunctional with areas for shops, offices and exhibitions on the lower floors, offices in the middle section and apartments on the upper floors.
015-ARCO DELLA PACE- The Arco della Pace (Arch of Peace) is a triumphal arch, initially built in the early 19th century a version of a Roman Forum to celebrate Napoleon's victories and inaugurated in 1838. Today the Arco della Pace stands at the centre of a pedestrianized plaza, at the edge of the Sempione Park. The design of the Arch of Peace was based on the Arch of Septimius Severus at the Forum Romanum in Rome. The four large statues in front of the frieze are allegorical representations of the rivers that flow through the former kingdom of Lombardy-Veneto: the Adige, Po, Ticino and Tagliamento.