Milan – Centro Storico

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Centro Storico is the central and oldest part of Milan. This area was delimited by the medieval walls of the city, later demolished, and then by a series of canals, known as Navigli, now mostly running underground. Centro Storico includes most of the greatest attractions of Milan, as well as many of its historic landmarks. The popular fashion district Quadrilatero della Moda is also part of Centro Storico.

✪ Milan Cathedral

The Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano) is the largest church in Italy and one of the largest in the world, and the most recognizable landmark in the city. Building this immense church took almost six centuries, as construction began in 1386 and it was truly completed only in 1965. The cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic and Gothic Revival architecture, featuring an extremely elaborate facade adorned with countless decorations, statues, and reliefs, and topped with numerous spires. The most famous feature of the Milan Cathedral is the Madonnina statue that decorates the top of the highest spire of the church and was erected in 1774. The terrace of the church can be visited and offers a great view on the city. The vast interior of the cathedral houses several artworks. Among these are the 17th-century paintings called Quadroni of Saint Charles (Quadroni di San Carlo), various funerary monuments, elaborate chapels and altars, and 55 decorated stained glass windows. The cathedral also features a crypt and an underground chapel hosting the relics of San Carlo Borromeo. Underneath the church and the nearby square there are also the ruins of some Paleochristian buildings that were demolished to make space for the cathderal, such as the Baptistery of San Giovanni alle Fonti, the Baptistery of Santo Stefano alle Fonti, and the Basilica Maior, all dating from the 4th century.

✪ Piazza del Duomo

Piazza del Duomo is the main square of Milan, located at the very center of the city in front of the Milan Cathedral. The large square is the cultural and social center of the city, and it is surrounded by historic buildings, while the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II opens on the north side. The center of Piazza del Duomo is adorned with the 19th-century Monument to Victor Emmanuel II.

✪ Royal Palace of Milan

The Royal Palace of Milan (Palazzo Reale di Milano) is a historic palace located next to the Milan Cathedral. Originally erected in the Late Middle Ages, it was completely reworked during the Renaissance, and later adorned with Neoclassical decorations. The palace was for centuries the seat of the local government, and now it serves as museum and cultural center. Part of the building houses the Museum of the Milan Cathedral (Grande Museo del Duomo di Milano), which displays many pieces of religious art and showcases the long history of the church. The Royal Palace of Milan also includes the Church of San Gottardo in Corte, built during the 14th century and featuring an elaborate bell tower.

✪ Museum of the 20th Century

The Museum of the 20th Century (Museo del Novecento) is an art museum hosted inside Palazzo dell’Arengario, facing Piazza del Duomo. The museum hosts a large collection of 20th-century artworks, mostly by Italian artists such as De Chirico, Modigliani, Morandi, Boccioni, and many more, but also including works by foreign artists such as Picasso and Kandinsky.

✪ Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a shopping gallery that links Piazza del Duomo with Piazza della Scala. Erected between 1865 and 1877, it features many elaborate decorations and it is topped with a large glass dome. The gallery houses numerous luxury shops and some of the oldest bars and restaurants in Milan. The northern entrance of the gallery also features the Leonardo3 Museum, a museum dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci, also displaying various working models of machines designed by da Vinci.

✪ Teatro alla Scala

The Teatro alla Scala is the main theater of Milan and one of the most famous and prestigious opera houses in the world. Inaugurated in 1778, the theater features a monumental facade and richly decorated interiors. Over its long history, the theater has hosted some of the greatest singers, musicians, artists, and directors, and it has been the seat of many world premieres. The Teatro alla Scala includes the Museo Teatrale alla Scala, a rich museum and library on the history of opera and this theater. The square in front of the the theater, Piazza della Scala, is surrounded by various historic buildings and adorned with a large monument dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci.

✪ Pinacoteca di Brera

The Pinacoteca di Brera is the main art museum of Milan, hosted in the large Palazzo di Brera. Founded as an art academy in 1776, the collection of the museum includes numerous paintings spanning from the Late Middle Ages to the 20th century, with works by Mantegna, Titian, Tintoretto, Raphael, Piero della Francesca, Bramante, Caravaggio, Rubens, Canaletto, Hayez, and many more. The museum also hosts various archaeological finds and various statues. Palazzo di Brera also houses the Biblioteca Nazionale Braidense, a huge collection of historic documents. The Brera Astronomical Observatory (Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera) is part of the same complex. Active since the 18th century, now it houses a collection of astronomical instruments. Adjacent to the palace is the Brera Botanical Garden (Orto Botanico di Brera), which houses a large collection of plants and trees.

✪ Biblioteca and Pinacoteca Ambrosiana

The Biblioteca Ambrosiana is a historic library in Milan, founded in 1609. The library houses hundreds of thousands of ancient volumes and documents. Some of the most remarkable pieces hosted here are the Ambrosian Iliad, or Ilias Picta, a 5th-century illuminated manuscript depicting Homer’s Iliad, and the Codex Atlanticus, the largest collection of drawings and writings by Leonardo da Vinci. The library also includes a rich art gallery, called Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, hosting various paintings ranging from the Renaissance to the 19th century, by artists such as da Vinci, Caravaggio, and Botticelli. Underneath the Biblioteca Ambrosiana there are some ruins of the Roman Forum of Milan.

✪ Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio

The Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio is one of the oldest churches in Milan, originally erected in the late 4th century and commissioned by Saint Ambrose, who was the bishop of Milan and now is the patron saint of the city. Later almost entirely rebuilt, the church gained its current appearance in the 12th century, and it is considered a masterpiece of Lombard Romanesque architecture. The basilica is flanked by a series of cloisters and arcades, while a four-sided portico is located in front of the facade. The church features two bell towers, while its interiors host a wide range of artworks. Among these is the 9th-century main altar and a large medieval mosaic. The church includes the Oratory of San Vittore in Ciel d’Oro (Sacello di San Vittore in Ciel d’Oro), a Paleochristian chapel adorned with a mosaic dating from the 5th century. A Roman column called Colonna del Diavolo (“Devil’s Column”) stands just outside the church and, according to legend, it has two holes made by the devil. Adjacent to the basilica is also the Tempio della Vittoria, a monument dedicated to the fallen Italian soldiers of World War I inaugurated in 1928.

✪ Basilica of San Lorenzo

The Basilica of San Lorenzo is a church originally erected between the 4th and 5th century and later restored and reworked numerous times. Due to its complex history, the church features a blend of Paleochristian, Romanesque, and Mannerist style. The church has a central plan with some decorated chapels, such as the Paleochristian Chapel of Sant’Aquilino (Cappella di Sant’Aquilino). In front of the facade of the church there is a statue of Roman Emperor Constantine, inaugurated in 1937. Also in front of the basilica are the Columns of San Lorenzo (Colonne di San Lorenzo), a Roman colonnade dating from around the 2nd century and reworked during the Middle Ages. Various houses stood between the colonnade and the church until 1935, when these buildings were demolished. A city park connects this church with the Basilica of Sant’Eustorgio.

Church of Santa Maria presso San Satiro

The Church of Santa Maria presso San Satiro is a Renaissance church in Milan erected during the 15th century. The building includes a medieval chapel and bell tower, while the facade was only completed in the 19th century. The church houses various artwoks, but it is best known for the painted perspective of a choir made by Bramante, one of the earliest examples of trompe-l’œil.

Piazza dei Mercanti

Piazza dei Mercanti is a square in Milan located near Piazza del Duomo. In the Middle Ages it was the heart of the city and it is surrounded by various historic buildings. The center of the square is occupied by the Palazzo della Ragione, a decorated Gothic building erected in the 13th century that served as a seat of the local government until the 18th century. Among the other buildings facing the square are the 14th-century Loggia degli Osii, the Gothic Casa Panigarola, and the Baroque Palazzo delle Scuole Palatine, which was housed a prestigious school. The large Mannerist Palazzo dei Giureconsulti, which features a clock tower, closes the square to the north.

Gallerie d’Italia

Also known as: Gallerie di Piazza della Scala

The Gallerie d’Italia is a modern art museum hosting a wide variety of artworks. The collection includes reliefs by Canova and numerous 19th and 20th century paintings by Italian artists, displaying the evolution of the artistic styles in the country throughout the two centuries.

Church of San Fedele

The Church of San Fedele is a 16th-century church in Milan and a great example of Mannerist architecture. The facade of the church is adorned with elaborate reliefs, sculptures, and other decorations, while its interiors host various artworks. The church houses the San Fedele Museum (Museo San Fedele), a collection of historic pieces of religious art. The square in front of the church features a statue of Alessandro Manzoni. In 1873 the famous writer fell and hit his head while exiting this church, and died a few months later for complications of the trauma.

Casa Manzoni

Casa Manzoni is the birthplace and former residence of writer Alessandro Manzoni. Erected in the 18th century, the palace was restored in Renaissance Revival style in 1864 at the request of Manzoni. The palace now serves as a museum and it houses its original furnishings and decorations.

Poldi Pezzoli Museum

The Poldi Pezzoli Museum (Museo Poldi Pezzoli) is an art museum that originated from the private collection of Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli. The collection mostly features paintings and sculptures by Italian and Flemish artists, including works by some of the most prominent Renaissance and Modern artists. The museum also includes historic tapestries, ceramics, weapons, glassworks, and furnishings.

Via Monte Napoleone

Via Monte Napoleone is a popular shopping street, famous for being one of the most luxurious and expensive in the world. The road is the most important area of the Quadrilatero della Moda fashion district and it features many stores and boutiques of the most exclusive high fashion brands.

Bagatti Valsecchi Museum

The Bagatti Valsecchi Museum (Museo Bagatti Valsecchi) is a house museum in Milan housing a collection of Renaissance paintings, sculptures, and pieces of decorative arts. One of the best preseved house museums in Europe, it also hosts Renaissance-era armors, weapons, and musical instruments.

Basilica of San Babila

The Basilica of San Babila is a Romanesque church in the historic center of Milan. Erected during the 11th century, the church was restored in Romanesque Revival style in the early 20th century. Many of the current features of the church date from this restoration, but the basilica still hosts a few elements and artworks dating from the Late Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Church of San Carlo al Corso

The Church of San Carlo al Corso is a Neoclassical church erected during the 19th century in Milan to replace a previous religious site. The facade of the church features a tall colonnade, but the most striking feature of the building is its large dome, inspired by the Pantheon in Rome.

Church of San Bernardino alle Ossa

The Church of San Bernardino alle Ossa is a church erected in the Late Middle Ages and rebuilt in Baroque style in the 18th century after it was damaged by a fire. The building is best known for its ossuary, in which countless bones are stored along the walls and used as decorations, creating a unique and striking visual. The church is adjacent to the Basilica of Santo Stefano Maggiore, which was originally erected in the 5th century but was reworked several times.

Church of Sant’Antonio Abate

The Church of Sant’Antonio Abate is a church in Milan erected starting in the Late Middle Ages. The church is known for its extremely elaborate interiors, which feature a rich series of Mannerist and Baroque frescoes, among many other artworks and decorations.

Museum of the Risorgimento of Milan

The Museum of the Risorgimento of Milan (Museo del Risorgimento di Milano) is a museum dedicated to the history of the Italian Risorgimento. The collection of the museum includes numerous documents, uniforms, artworks, objects, and memorabilia linked with the Risorgimento, spanning a period between 1796 and 1870.

Piazza degli Affari

Piazza degli Affari (“Business Square”) is a square in Milan, considered a symbol of economy and finance in the city. Palazzo Mezzanotte, the seat of the Italian stock exchange is located facing this square. This building was erected in the early 20th century and features a monumental facade. The sculpture L.O.V.E., or Il Dito (“The Finger”) by Maurizio Cattelan was placed in the center of the square in 2010. This statue depicts a hand with a raised middle finger, and its name is an acronym for “Libertà, Odio, Vendetta, Eternità” (“Freedom, Hatred, Revenge, Eternity”).

Church of San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore

The Church of San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore is a Renaissance church in Milan built on the site of a previous Paleochristian structure. This church is known for its interiors, which are entirely covered with a rich series of frescoes painted during the 16th century. The hall used by the nuns of the adjacent monastery also features a cycle of beautiful frescoes.

Civic Archaeological Museum of Milan

The Civic Archaeological Museum of Milan (Civico Museo Archeologico di Milano) is an archaeological museum located in a former convent adjacent to the Church of San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore. The collection includes numerous archaeological findings, with sections dedicated to the Romans, Etruscans, Ancient Greeks, and the Middle Ages.

Medieval Porta Ticinese

The Medieval Porta Ticinese (Porta Ticinese Medievale) is a 12th-century city gate located near the Basilica of San Lorenzo. Once part of the medieval fortifications of Milan, this gate was reworked in the 19th century, with the addition of two lateral arches. Just outside the gate there is an art installation known as Wall of Dolls (Muro delle Bambole), consisting of numerous dolls hanged on the wall and dedicated to female victimes of violence.

Basilica of Sant’Eufemia

The Basilica of Sant’Eufemia is a church originally erected in the 5th century. Rebuilt during the 15th century, its current appearance dates from 1870, when the last renovation works were completed. The church features a Romanesque Revival facade, while its interiors are richly adorned with Gothic Revival decorations. The basilica also hosts various artworks.

Basilica of San Nazaro in Brolo

The Basilica of San Nazaro in Brolo is an ancient church dating from the 4th century. Damaged over the centuries, the church was restored various times, with Romanesque and Neoclassical additions. In the 16th century a large chapel called Trivulzio Mausoleum (Mausoleo Trivulzio) was added before the facade of the church. The basilica houses various artworks and some Paleochristian ruins.