Duomo (Cathedral) The looming Duomo, the world's largest Gothic cathedral, presides over the Piazza that bears its name. Its construction began in 1386 and continued sporadically until Napoleon ordered its completion in 1809. Its lengthy creation bestowed on it 3,400 statues, 135 spires and 96 gargoyles. It is best visited in full sunshine when the interior is illuminated by the colorful mosaic of its stained glass windows. The church is a five-aisled cruciform seating 40,000 worshippers. The 16th-century marble tomb of Giacomo de Medici lies in the south transept and lying buried
at its heart is St Charles Borromeo, the cathedral's most important benefactor. Every year in May and September a nail from the cross of Christ is displayed to worshippers and is retrieved from its resting place by the bishop who is hoisted to the nivola to reach it. Across the piazza in the Palazzo Reale is the Museo del Duomo that displays the treasures from the cathedral. It also houses the Museo d'Arte Contomporanea, showcasing a collection of Italian Futurist art. Address: Piazza del Duomo 18 Phone Number: (02) 8646 3456 Hours: Daily 7am to 7pm. The dome is open from 9am daily, closing between 5pm and 6.30pm depending on the season. Treasury: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm (Saturday until 5pm), Sunday 1.30pm to 4pm Admission: Free (Cathedral); EUR1 (Treasury); EUR6 (terrace by lifts); EUR4 (terrace by stairs); admission including the museum is EUR8
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II This four-story, glass-domed arcade is entered from the Piazza in front of the Cathedral and extends to the Piazza della Scala. It was originally built as a link to the opera house but has become a fashionable place to hang out, sip coffee or camparis, or take a stroll through its many exclusive shops. Milanese gather in this conservatory to escape the winter rains or to socialise after a busy working day. Address: Piazza del Duomo
Theater Museum at La Scala (Museo Teatrale alla Scala) This world famous opera house rests on the site of the Church of Santa Maria alla Scala, its namesake. The Museum provides a wealth of mementos from the opera house dedicated to the nation's beloved composers and performers. These include Rossini, Puccini and Toscanini. Two halls are devoted to Verdi alone and contain memorabilia such as the spinet on which he learnt to play, hand-written scores and the baton given to him after the momentous reception of Aida. Address: Largo Ghiringhelli 1, Piazza della Scala Phone Number: (02) 8879 2473 Website: www.lascala.milano.it Transport: Bus 61, tram 1 or 2, or subway to Duomo or Montenapoleone Hours: Daily 9am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 5.30pm Admission: EUR5, concessions available
Santa Maria delle Grazie Located next to the church in the former monastery's refectory is Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting, The Last Supper (Cenacolo Vinciano). The fresco depicts the moment of Christ's revelation of the betrayal. Judas hovers to the right of the painting with his hand placed protectively on the bag of silver. Scaffolding covers the bottom of the painting (an ongoing restoration project), leaving the rest in full view. Controversy has erupted over the removal of layers of corrective over-painting completed in the 18th and 19th centuries. The painting has endured more than hot debate however as it escaped the bombing during WWII that destroyed the roof of the refectory. Address: Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie 2, Corso Magenta Phone Number: (02) 8942 1146 Website: www.cenacolovinciano.it/html/eng/smgrazie.htm Transport: Tram 24, subway to Conciliazione or Cadorna Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 8.15am to 7.30pm. Reservations are essential and visitors must arrive 15 minutes before allocated time of visit Admission: EUR6.50, concessions available. Audioguide: EUR2.50 (per person)
Museo Poldi-Pezzoli The Museo Poldi-Pezzoli contains a spectacular private collection that was bequeathed by its namesake Poldi Pezzoli to the city in 1879. Numerous masterpieces hang from the walls of the Golden Room with its vista onto a picturesque garden. Antonio Pollaiolo's Portrait of a Lady has become the symbol for Milan's own style and elegance and depicts the profile of an elegant woman. Other famous paintings include a Virgin and Child by Andrea Mantegna, Bellini's Ecco Homo, Piero della Francesca's St Nicholas and Guardi's Gray Lagoon. Address: Via Manzoni 12 Phone Number: (02) 796 334 Email Address: info@museopoldipezzoli.org Website: www.museopoldipezzoli.it Transport: Subway to Duomo, Cordusio, S. Babila or Montenapoleone; bus 94 or 61; tram 1 or 2 Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm Admission: EUR8, concessions EUR5.50 Free audioguides in English, Italian and Japanese available
Museum of Historic Art of the Sforzesco Castle The gargantuan Sforzesco Castle built in the 15th century is one of Milan's foremost monuments. It was restored after being bombed in 1943. The vast interior, which is broken here and there by smaller courtyards, contains three museums, the most notable of which is Museum of Historic Art (Museo d'Arte Antica del Castello Sforzesco). Within its collection of sculptures is the famous Pieta Rondanini, Michelangelo's final work. The picture gallery features paintings by Mantegna, Bellini, da Vinci and Fra Filippo Lippi. The two other museums within the Castle's ramparts are the Museum of Applied Arts and the Archaeological Museum. Address: Piazza Castello Phone Number: (02) 8846 3700 Website: www.milanocastello.it Transport: Subway to Cadorna, Lanza or Cairoli. Bus 43, 50, 57, 58, 61, 70 or 94. Tram 1, 3, 4, 12, 14, 20 or 27 Hours: Castle: Daily 7am to 6pm (winter), closing at 7pm in summer. Closed 25 December, 1 January and 1 May, Easter Monday. Museums are closed on Mondays Admission: Castle: free. Museums: EUR3, concessions available. Free admittance daily from 4.30pm to 5.30pm (admittance until 5pm), Fridays from 2pm to 5.30pm
Leonardo da Vinci National Science & Technology Museum Within the Leonardo Gallery of the museum is a collection of Leonardo's ingenious designs from war machines to architectural visions. Applied physics is the focus of another room in keeping with the museum's tribute to the history of science. Address: Via San Vittore 21 Phone Number: (02) 485 551 Email Address: info@museoscienza.it Website: www.museoscienza.org Transport: Underground to St Ambrogio or Cadorna, or bus 50, 54, 58 or 94 Hours: Tuesday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm. Holidays and weekends 9.30am to 6.30pm Admission: EUR8 (adults), concessions EUR6
The Gallery of Modern Art The Gallery of Modern Art (Civica Galleria d'Arte Moderna) is housed in the building, which once served at Napoleon's summer palace and was occupied by the famous statesman and Josephine between 1805 and 1814. It is now recognized for its collection of modern art with works by Picasso, Matisse, Renoir, Gaugin and Cézanne. Address: Villa Reale, Via Palestro 16 Phone Number: (02) 7600 2819 Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9.30am to 5.30pm Admission: Free
Portofino Nestled in a sheltered inlet within the stretch of the Italian Mediterranean is the coastal village of Portofino. It has long been the playground for the rich and famous, attracting the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Sophia Loren, Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor and Princess Grace. It is not surprising therefore that its exclusivity and prices rose to match its holidaymakers. The scenic surrounds can be explored from the outlying nature reserve graced with cypress and olive slopes. Set off from here on a 90-minute trek to San Fruttuoso or a 2½-hour hike to Santa Margherita. Other sights around Portofino include its castle and the lighthouse (faro) with its breathtaking view of the coastline. Phone Number: (0185) 269 024 (tourist office)
Cinque Terre Cinque Terre means 'Five Lands'. These are the five related fishing villages that nestle precariously on the cliffs overlooking the azure ocean of the Italian Riviera, off the country's northwestern coast. It is a picture postcard dream of sparkling clear waters and dramatic vistas contained within the tranquil embrace of the villages that are connected to one another by a scenic pathway that curves through the hillside among olive groves and vineyards. Monterosso is the largest of the towns and is recognizable through the huge statues carved into the rocks facing its shores. The village of Riomaggiore is quickly identified through the myriad fishing boats festooning its shores and is linked by the 'lovers lane' to the charming town of Manarola. Corniglia perches precariously onto the mountainside and is accessed through a steep climb and Vernazza's promenade and piazza have beautiful sea vistas.
Pinacoteca di Brera Housing one of Italy's finest collections of medieval and Renaissance art, the 17th-century Palazzo is by far the best collection of northern Italian paintings. Many of the masterpieces here are the work of Napoleon, who used the Palazzo as a storeroom for all the art he confiscated from public and private holdings and his a bronze sculpture in his likeness greets visitors as they enter the courtyard. Three of Italy's great masterpieces can be found here, namely Andrea Mantegna's Dead Christ, Raphael's Betrothal of the Virgin, and Piero della Francesca's Madonna with Saints (the Montefeltro Altarpiece). Address: Via Brera 28 Phone Number: 02 8942 1146 Website: www.brera.beniculturali.it Hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30am - 7:15pm Admission: Adults EUR5
Milan Aquarium One of the oldest and largest of its kind in Italy, the Milan aquarium houses 36 gigantic pools filled with more than 100 different species of fish, living in recreated environments ranging from the Amazon to the Mediterranean. The main focus of the pools is more towards native Italian fish life, both fresh and saltwater, and plenty of exotic sea life from other continents. The Amazon freshwater pool contains a wonderful exhibit of the infamous piranha. The aquarium hosts events throughout the year suitable for the family and the library is one of the most important resources for marine biology and oceanic studies in Italy. Address: 2 Viale Gadio 20121 Phone Number: 02 8 846 5754 Email Address: info@acquariocivico.mi.it Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9am - 1pm and 2pm - 5.30pm. Closed Mondays Admission: Free
Orto Botanico di Brera The Orto Botanico di Brera is a botanical garden located behind the Pinacoteca di Brera in the center of Milan, and is operated by the Istituto di Fisica Generale Applicata of the University of Milan. The garden was established in 1774 under the direction of Maria Theresa of Austria, transforming an existing Jesuit garden to be used by students of medicine and pharmacology. The garden has greenhouses from the 19th century that are now used by the Academy of Fine Arts, as well as flowerbeds and elliptical ponds from the 18th century. Orto Botanico di Brera is home to one of the oldest Ginkgo biloba trees in Europe and various other mature flora specimens can be found within the grounds; a true plant lover's paradise. Hours: Open weekdays. Admission: Free of charge
Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio The Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio is one of the oldest churches in Milan, built by Bishop Ambrose in 379-386 AD. Located in an area where numerous martyrs of the Roman persecutions were buried, it was originally called Basilica Martyrum. In 1099 the church was rebuilt in the Romanesque architectural style but the basilica plan of the original edifice was maintained, including a portico with elegant arches in the front entrance. In keeping with Lombard medieval architecture, the hut-like façade has a typically flat appearance. Of the two bell towers, the left and higher tower dates back to 1144 AD. Inside there is an apse mosaic from the early 13th century that portrays the Christ Pantokrator (Ruler of All), an inspirational religious and artistic artifact. The church also houses the tomb of Emperor Louis II, who died in Lombardy in 875 AD.
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