Best things to do in Milan
This time we will show you around one of Italy’s most famous cities, as well as the most stylish and cool of the entire peninsula. Milan is a very European center, as regards as fashion, trends, hangouts, art and and culture in general. Even though less rich in attractions compared to jewels like Rome, Florence or Venice, however it is rich in history and interesting monuments and attractions we want to make you discover.
Duomo of Milan
First stage it’s Milan’s most renowned attraction, the Duomo. The imposing construction will stands out in front of you as a huge sign of a timeless past and flourishing future. Unique and spectacular even among hundreds of cathedrals, it presents fascinating interior with rows of columns that mark the central naves. Immediately you’ll notice also its splendid glass windows. But the most striking feature it’s its eternal work in progress state. Like the Sagrada Familia its construction works go on for six centuries. The Gothic Milan Cathedral is the largest church in Italy (after Peter’s Basilica) and the fifth largest in the world. Visit it during a mass, it will appear even more charming thanks to the music of the organ and the incense in the air.
Santa Maria delle Grazie
Also known as “Holy Mary of Grace” it is a church and Dominican convent in Milan included in the UNESCO World Heritage sites list. The most important attraction of the church is the internationally well-known art masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci, the wide mural of The Last Supper (L’ultima Cena), right in the refectory of the convent. It is one of the world’s most famous paintings. Completed in 1490 after the order of the Duke of Milan Francesco I Sforza, with the design of the apse of the church attributed to great Donato Bramante.
Pinacoteca di Brera
Here we are at of our third stop, the Pinacoteca di Brera, the national modern and antique art gallery of Milan, set in the big palace of Brera, and hosting also the Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense, the observatory of Brera, the Botanical Garden and the Accademia di Belle Arti. It rises on an ancient convent into an academic facility of the Society of Jesus from 1571.
In 1776 the Palace was conquered by Austria, in fact the Empress of austria founded the Academy. You will admire fantastic art masterpieces from Piero della Francesca to Caravaggio and Bramante.
Castello Sforzesco
Last stop of our Milanese tour, Sforza Castle, the majestic castle of Milan. It was built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan, on the remains of a 14th-century fortification after enlarged, so much so that in the 17th century it became one of the largest citadels in Europe. It now houses several of the city’s museums and art collections .The four-sided build encloses square towers and an ogival gate. You will see also the Corte Ducale, the Cortile della Ghirlanda and the Porta del Carmine. The main gate leads to a large court from which you can see several internal features. The complex of the castle is in the middle of a moat included inside Renaissance walls. Castello includes some important museums among which: The Pinacoteca del Castello Sforzesco, The Museum of Ancient Art, The Museum of Musical Instruments and The Egyptian Museum.
