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About Milan

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giuseppeMilan has two airports: The Malpensa airport handles almost all international flights. It’s about 50km (31mi) northwest of the city. Most domestic and some European flights use Linate airport, about 7km (4.5mi) east of the city centre. Public transportation links both airports to the city centre.The Malpensa airport is connected to Milan by the Malpensa Express train and by the coach bus Malpensa Shuttle. From Linate there is a bus service that goes to Central Station. Linate and Malpensa are connected to each other by a shuttle service provided by Air Pullman. At 45 km from Milan you will find Orio al Serio (BGY) international airport. It is Italy’s first low-cost airport with many flights for Italian and European destinations. From the airport there are 30 daily coach service runs to Milan Central Station provided by Autostradale” and Locatelli Air Pullman”.Car :Many of Italy’s main motorways converge at Milan’s ring road, known as the Tangenziale Est and Tangenziale Ovest.. The ring road is the end point of highway A4 coming from Turin, of the A4 from Venice and Verona; of A1 connecting Milan and Bologna, Florence and Rome; the A7 coming from Genoa and Liguria; and the A8/A9 that go to Switzerland and to Lakes Como and Maggiore. Prepare to deal with unexpected traffic on your way into and out of Milan, particularly on the busy A4 west to Torino.Train :Milan has the major railway system in Northern Italy, You can catch a train from Stazione Centrale (Piazza Duca d’Aosta) to all major cities in Italy. Daily trains run to and from Venice (3.5hrs), Florence (3.5hrs), Genoa (1.5hrs), Turin (1.5hrs), Rome (6hrs) and Naples (8hrs). This is also a good point to pick up international connections to and from Switzerland (with the Cisalpino train) and France (with the TGV). Ferrovie Nord Milano (FNM) trains from Stazione Nord (Stazione Cadorna, Piazza Luigi Cadorna) connect Milan with Como (1hr, hourly) and Desanzano (1.5hrs, hourly). Regional services to many towns northwest of Milan are more frequent from Stazione Porta Garibaldi (Piazza Sigmund Freud). For times please consult the Trenitalia site.Bus :Bus stations are scattered across the city so unless you know exactly where you’re going, you’re better off travelling by train. Buses (which are operated by numerous companies) to many national and international points leave from the bus station (tel: 02 63 79 01; Piazza Sigmund Freud) opposite the main entrance to Stazione Porta Garibaldi. City TransportMilan’s public transportation system is efficient network of trams, buses and metro. The metro is easiest to master (and the fastest and most useful). It’s made up of four lines, with a fifth being considered the red MM1, green MM2, yellow MM3, and blue passante ferroviario , meeting at the four main hubs of Stazione Centrale, Duomo, Cadorna and Loreto . Tickets are available at Metropolitana Milanesa (MM) stations and some newspaper stands. You can sometimes get a free public transport map from ATM offices at the Duomo metro station and Stazione Central. Buses, trams and the metro run from around 6am to midnight, after which nightbuses take over, following the metro routes until 1am.Bus :ATM operate an efficient bus system working in tandem with the underground rail. Tickets ,valid for 75 minutes and can be used for one metro trip and as many bus and tram rides as you want. They are on sale at tobacconists, bars and at the metro station newsagents; most outlets close at 8pm so it’s best to buy a few tickets in advance, or a carnet of ten. Some stations have automatic ticket machines, although only the newer ones give change. You can also buy a one-day or two-day ticket from the Stazione Centrale or Duomo metro stations. Free public transport maps are available from ATM’s Info Point in the Duomo underground station.Taxi :Taxis don’t cruise the streets, so don’t bother trying to flag one down. Either head for a taxi rank – on Piazza Duomo, Largo Cairoli, Piazza San Babile, Stazione Centrale. Apart from taxis, driving in the city is best avoided: the streets are congested and parking close on impossible. Parking in prohibited zones is not worth it; you’ll be fined if caught and have your car impounded by the police. History and CultureMilan is said to have been founded by Celtic tribes, who settled along the Po river in the 7th century BC. In 222 BC, Roman legions marched into the territory, defeated the locals and occupied the town, which they called Mediolanum (middle of the plain). The city’s key position on the trade routes linking Rome with northwestern Europe ensured its continued prosperity. Milan first stepped into the historical limelight in the fourth century when Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan here, granting Christians throughout the Roman Empire the freedom to worship for the first time. In this time many churches were built and the first bishop was appointed: Ambrogio was such an influential person that the Church became the Ambrosian Church.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, the city endured centuries of chaos caused by waves of barbarian invasions. until it was conquered by the Longobards (also known as Lombards) in 569 A.D. Towards the end of the eighth century, the bishops managed to use the influence to full extent, forcing an alliance with the emperors: Ottone of Saxony , who was crowned King of Italy in the Church of Sant’Ambrogio, made this power even more legitimate.

In the first half of the year 1000, The Archbishop of Milan became the most powerful political figure in the whole of Northern Italy. After a series of political problems, Milan became a municipality (1117), and gradually freed itself from the Archbishop. It also began to expand by declaring war on other municipalities in the nearby area. Later the attempt by Frederick I of Swabia to take over the city gave rise to the birth of the Lombard League, which fought for the city’s independence, and which ended in 1176 after the defeat of Barbarossa.

From the mid-13th century, the city was governed by a succession of important families: the Torrianis, the Viscontis and the Sforzas. Under the latter dynasties, Milan enjoyed considerable wealth and power, Viscontis founded what is still the city’s most spectacular building, the florid late-Gothic Duomo , and built the first, heavily fortified nucleus of the Castello – which, under their successors, the Sforza, was extended to house what became one of the most luxurious courts of the Renaissance. This was a period of much building and rebuilding, notably under the last Sforza, Lodovico, who employed the architect Bramante to improve the city’s churches and Leonardo da Vinci to paint The Last Supper and design war-machines to aid him in his struggles. Leonardo’s inventions didn’t prevent Milan falling to the French in 1499, marking the beginning of almost four centuries of foreign rule. The city came under Spanish rule in 1535 and was given to Austria in 1713 as part of the Treaty of Utrecht. Austrian power-broker Maria Theresa left her mark on the city; the facades of La Scala and the Palazzo Real remain her favourite shade of yellow. Napoleon made Milan the capital of his Cisalpine Republic in 1797 and his Italian Republic five years later. It hosted his coronation as King of Italy in 1805.

In 1859, the Austrians were driven out of Milan and the city was annexed to the Kingdom of Piedmont, which then became the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. Milan was immediately chosen as the economic and cultural capital of Italy, and has maintained this title up to modern days.

Churches and MuseumsThe DuomoThis cathedral looms mighty over the piazza named after it. The most outstanding example of Gothic-Lombard architecture, the Duomo dates back to 1300. It was built on the wishes of Gian Galeazzo Visconti. This imposing religious building, second only to St Peter’s Cathedral in Rome, houses almost 3500 statues that are spread over an area of almost 12,000 square meters. Made of marble and incorporating a evolution of styles from Baroque to Gothic it’s an interesting spectacle. The tallest spire, which has the famous Madonnina” on top of it, is 108 meters high. The statue of the Virgin Mary, the Madonnina”, is covered in 3900 pieces of gold leaf. To fully appreciate the interior it is recommended that you buy a detailed guide book, or pay for the 1 hour audio guides. Absolutely do not miss a trip to the roof! It is amazing. You can walk among statues, gargoyles, flying buttresses and the 14 foot gilded statue of the Madonna while taking in wonderful views of the city.

Santa Maria delle Grazie

This church is home of Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper’ This famous church was completed in 1490. 5 years later by il Bramante” on the wishes of Ludovico il Moro. The famous architect designed the wonderful apse, the cloisters and the old sacristy., Leonardo da Vinci was asked to paint a mural on the refectory wall and the result was one of his most famous masterpieces. Reservations are highly recommended if you do want to see this church, because of this only a limited number of people are allowed to view it at any one time.

Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio

Founded in the 4th century by Ambrose (Milan’s patron saint), the church on Piazza Sant’Ambrogio is the symbol of Milan’s religiousness. It was built in 379 A.D. in the Romanesque-Lombard style, and was consecrated by the famous Bishop Ambrogio, who lent his name to the Ambrosian Church. Inside there are valuable artifacts and works of art that tell the story of about 1600 years of Milan’s history. The shorter of the two bell towers dates to the 9th century as does the canopy over the altar inside. The saint himself is buried in the crypt.

Basilica of Sant’Eustorgio

A wonderful medieval religious building that was built at the beginning of the fourth century on the wishes of the Bishop Eustorgio who brought the remains of the wise kings here from Constantinople, that can still be seen in the Chapel bearing their name today.

Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore

This wonderful basilica, located opposite the Roman columns that are the only remains of a third-century temple, includes many different architectural styles, due to the various renovations that the building has undergone. The main elements are Paleo-christian (for example the mosaics) but other more recent styles also stand out, including ones from 1600 (the dome) to 1800 (the faade).Below you will find some of Milan’s best Museum’s :Museum of Science and TechnologyThis interesting museum, which is named after Leonardo da Vinci and which was recently renovated and housed in an old monastery, is one of the most interesting science museums in the whole world. 40,000 square meters of exhibition space for subjects ranging from astronomy to computers. The models and machines built to the design by the great Tuscan genius cannot be missed. Here is a definite must for boffins and future Einsteins and will take a good two hours wandering around to see everything. It’s a must do activity if visiting with children.

La Scala Theater Museum

Founded in 1913, this interesting museum houses exhibits of various costumes and theatre sets that are of great historical and artistic value. Some rooms are dedicated to the La Scala Theater’s architecture and the life of the famous composer Giuseppe Verdi, while others house ancient musical instruments, curtains and costumes that belonged to famous artists such as Maria Callas and Rudolf Nureyev.

Cenacolo Vinciano

Between 1495 and 1498, Leonardo da Vinci painted the whole wall of the refectory in the Dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie with a fresco of The Last Supper, one of the most famous masterpieces in history. This work of art has undergone a restoration that lasted twenty years and which was only recently finished, bringing it back to its full glory and halting the deterioration that was turning it into a faded, shapeless stain.

Pinacoteca di Brera

The Pinacoteca di Brera is an art gallery set up in 1809 by Napoleone Bonaparte. It houses a great number of works of art that were confiscated” from churches and convents throughout Europe. Works to be seen range from the fourteenth to the twentieth centuries, and include masterpieces by artists such as Piero della Francesca (Pala d’Urbino), Raffaello (Sposalizio della Vergine), Mantenga (Cristo Morto), il Bramante and Caravaggio. The courtyard holds a wonderful statue of Napoleon that was created by Canova.

Pinacoteca Ambrosiana

This is Milan’s oldest museum, which was opened in 1609 It is home to some masterpieces by artists such as Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci, Raffaello and Botticelli. The Ambrosiana also houses an important library which contains some ancient codes, illuminated manuscripts, and ancient books.

The Museum of Ancient Art

This interesting museum is housed in the splendid Castello Sforzesco, and is home to some of the most important sculptures that help to understand Lombard history and culture. The works come from a period ranging from the 4th to the 16th century. They include the funeral monument for Gaston di Foix and the “Piet Rondinini” by Michelangelo.

Museo d’Arte Antica

Historical buildings

Castello Sforzesco :The original center dates back to 1450, which was built on the wishes of the Duke Francesco Sforza. Castello Sforzesco has interesting archaeological and numismatic collections. Originally a military fortress, the Castello Sforzesco was completely remodelled by the more comfort-minded Francesco Sforza. The new and improved defences were designed by uber-engineer Leonardo da Vinci. Castello Sforzesco is a majestic building. Inside it has wonderful interior courtyards, built in Gothic-Renaissance style and incredible halls, designed by Leonardo, and frescos painted by master painters such as by Bellini, Tiepolo, Mantegna, Correggio, Titian and Van Dyck, and a collection of Egyptian artefacts. There are also two private homes (Palazzo Bagatti Valsecchi and Poldi Pezzoli), perhaps not quite as grand as the Castle but just as interesting; these have been turned into museums and display textiles, furnishings and paintings also worth seeing when in the area.Castello Sforzesco Travel GuideLa Scala Theater :A Temple to Opera music, facing the Piazza della Scala is this, the most famous opera house in the world, dating back to 1778 built over the remains of the Church of Santa Maria della Scala, built here in 1381 from which the theater then took its name. Some of the greatest names in opera have made their debuts in this theater: Rossigni, Donizetti, Bellini, Puccini and, in 1839, Giuseppe Verdi who moved to the Grand Hotel in Milan on that date where he continued to live until he died. The La Scala Theater, famous worldwide, stands on one side of the beautiful square that carries the same name. In the center of the square there is a monument to Leonardo da Vinci and on the other side there is the wonderful Palazzo Marini.La Scala Theater Travel GuideThe Monumental Cemetery :This great cemetery was built around 1860, in a Lombard style and some obviously Byzantine shapes. Among the statues, chapels and other works of art, we can find the graves of some of the most famous people from Italian and European culture, such as Alessandro Manzoni, Salvatore Quasimodo, Eugenio Montale and Maria Callas.Monumental Cemetery Travel GuideRoyal palace :The Royal Palace, in Piazza Duomo, is a very old building that dates back to 1100 and which has been home to the most powerful men in Milan over the centuries, from the Viscontis to the Sforza family, the Spanish governors and Austrian rulers. Several temporary art exhibitions are held inside the building today. Places of InterestArco della pace :In the middle of Piazza Sempione there is this huge monument 25 meters high, that dates back to Napoleonic era. Arco della Pace is built in Neoclassical style, and is decorated with marble sculpture and Corinthian columns, and on the top there is a charming bronze Sestiga”, a chariot drawn by six horses.Columns of San Lorenzo :This is the only monument that dates back to the Roman era, which has managed to survive up to the present day. These sixteen columns that stand opposite the Basilica of San Lorenzo are all that remains of an ancient Roman temple, that probably dates back to the 2nd century.

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