Milan
Milan Top Ten: Duomo, Cathedral of Milano | Castello Sforzesco | Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II | The Fashion District - Quadrilatero della Moda | Brera Art Gallery | Teatro alla Scala | Navigli (canals) | Porta Nuova - Corso Como | Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper' | Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio
The Duomo, the Cathedral at the heart of the city, is an architectural masterpiece that remains imprinted in the memory of all those who visit Milano. Built between 1386 and 1877, it is the fifth-largest cathedral in the world and the largest and most important example of Gothic architecture in Italy.
The thousands of intricately carved spires and statues, like a marble forest, are an awesome sight for those exiting the Metro or arriving from Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. Its construction, which began in 1386 and lasted almost half a millennium, was commissioned by the Duke of Milano Gian Galeazzo Visconti as a symbol of the glory and grandeur of the city.
Made of pink-hued white marble from a dedicated quarry, it is 157 meters in length and 108.5 meters high at the top of the main spire, where rests the glistening golden statue of the Madonnina, an evocative symbol much-loved both by all Milanese and visitors. A visit up to the rooftop terraces is highly recommended to admire the unmissable panorama of the city and the mountains in the distance.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
The Duomo is at the very heart of the city, surrounded by many landmarks, especially Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The Galleria is Italy's oldest shopping mall, built between 1865 and 1877 and - beautifully embellished with mosaics and caryatids around windows and balconies - it has maintained its lustre. The arcade's luxury brand shops, that could easily compete with those in Via Montenapoleone or Via della Spiga, are juxtaposed with the classic white-tablecloth restaurants, the celebrity chefs' eateries, legendary venues like the Camparino bar and the iconic Bocca art bookstore.
"In Milan, we spent most of the time inside the great and magnificent Loggia, or Galleria, or whatever it's called. Edifices formed by tall and sumptuous new structures…this is the Galleria. I'd like to live there forever." — Mark Twain, 'A Tramp Abroad'
Fashion
Milan is regarded as one of the fashion capitals of the world, along with New York City, Paris, and London. Milan is synonymous with the Italian prêt-à-porter industry, as many of the most famous Italian fashion brands, such as Valentino, Gucci, Versace, Prada, Armani and Dolce & Gabbana, are headquartered in the city.
The Quadrilatero della Moda is Milano's high-end shopping district, known all over the world. It was named after the four stylish streets that define its boundaries: via Montenapoleone, via Manzoni, via della Spiga and Corso Venezia.
Cuisine
Like most cities in Italy, Milan has developed its own local culinary tradition, which, as it is typical for North Italian cuisines, uses more frequently rice than pasta, butter than vegetable oil and features almost no tomato or fish. Milanese traditional dishes includes cotoletta alla milanese, a breaded veal cutlet pan-fried in butter (similar to Viennese Wiener Schnitzel). Other typical dishes are cassoeula (stewed pork rib chops and sausage with Savoy cabbage), ossobuco (braised veal shank served with a condiment called gremolata), and risotto alla milanese (with saffron and beef marrow).
Milan is well known for its world-class restaurants and cafés, characterized by innovative cuisine and design. Milan has 157 Michelin-selected places, including three 2-Michelin-starred restaurants.
History
There are only few remains of the ancient Roman colony, notably the well-preserved Colonne di San Lorenzo. During the second half of the 4th century, Saint Ambrose, as bishop of Milan, had a strong influence on the layout of the city, reshaping the centre and building the great basilicas at the city gates.
In the 15th century, when the Sforza ruled the city, an old Viscontean fortress was enlarged and embellished to become the Castello Sforzesco, the seat of an elegant Renaissance court surrounded by a walled hunting park.
Empress Maria Theresa of Austria was responsible for the significant renovations carried out in Milan during the 18th century. This urban and artistic renewal included the establishment of Teatro alla Scala, inaugurated in 1778, and the renovation of the Royal Palace.
The post–World War II period saw rapid reconstruction and fast economic growth. In recent years, de-industrialization, urban decay and gentrification led to a vast urban renewal of former industrial areas, that have been transformed into modern residential and financial districts, notably Porta Nuova in downtown Milan.
Information from Wikipedia. Added original content coming soon.