Posted on March 01, 2013 by sguese

 

There is perhaps no other Italian city as well dressed and fashionable as Milan.

Also one of the richest cities in Europe, Milan wears fashion on every sleeve of its streets. From being home to the largest Gothic cathedral in the world to the famous La Scala Opera House, Milan is fashion forward. This fast-paced, business and fashion oriented city is known for its top shopping. While heavily bombed during World War II, Milan would rebuild, becoming a fixture in Italy’s northwest Lombardy region.

 

Shop until you drop: The name of the game in Milan is no question shopping. There are several places with the best shopping. Begin your shopping excursion through Milan at the Quadrilatero d’Oro, otherwise known as the Golden Rectangle. Bound by four main streets, this is the high fashion hub of Italy. Even if you can’t afford the designs of Versace, Armani and Cavalli, you can still appreciate the designs from the window.

Milan’s other high fashion shopping center can be found in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. High-end stores such as Prada and Gucci grace the area, a 19^th century shopping arcade right near Milan’s Duomo. With its steel and glass roof and colorful mosaics, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is worth a gander for its design. It connects Piazza del Duomo with Piazza della Scala.

 

Be overwhelmed by Milan’s Duomo: There’s no real need to rent a car in Milan or hire a bike. Once you have shopped until you drop, park yourself on a bench and admire Milan’s greatest showpiece. 52 pillars support Milan’s Duomo, the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world. It can hold up to 40,000 people and took around 500 years to complete. Entry into the church is free, making it possible for anyone to admire the 18^th century sundial and lovely stained glass within. For a small fee, you can head up to the Duomo’s heavens and roam the roof. The roof top access allows visitors to see the cathedral’s many spires, statues and gargoyles, oh and the tremendous views of the city.

 

Spend some time in Castello Sforzesco: Castello Sforzesco is not just a castle. Named after the Duke of Milan, the sprawling castle complex sits just a few minutes from the Duomo. With its courtyard, fountains, bridge tower and interior frescoes, you may think you have seen it all. However the Castello is home to a number of museums including the Archeological Museum and the Museum of Natural History.

 

Attend the Last Supper at Santa Maria della Grazie: Santa Maria della Grazie plays second fiddle to what it contains, Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper. While the church was heavily bombed in 1943, the fresco miraculously survived. To see this masterpiece, you have to book well in advance.

 

Relax at one of the city’s Parks: Milan is a sea of activity for its high fashion, models on the metro and Italian businessmen discussing, no doubt, something important. Being such a big and buzzing city, you might need a break at one of Milan’s several large parks. Parco Sempione is a good choice for relaxation along with the Giardini Pubblici. The public gardens rest just outside the historic center.