With a population of 1,301,000 in 2009 and located in the northern part of Italy, Milan has by far the largest metropolitan area in Italy. Milan is known to be the true fashion capital of the world, serving as the headquarters for fashion houses such as Prada, Gucci, Versace, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana and many more. Milan is also an important financial and industrial center that has become one of the richest cities in Europe.
Milan has many sights and museums; Chief among these is the majestic Duomo Cathedral, which is a massive Gothic structure that ranks second in size in Italy after Saint Peter’s, and is the fourth largest cathedral in the world. This magnificent structure was begun in the late 14th century and was finally completed in the 19th century. Inside is the largest collection of marble statues in the world.
There are many excellent museums in Milan: to see some great masterpieces, be sure to visit the galleries of the Pinacoteca di Brera in the Brera Palace and the Balgetti Valsecchi Museum. The Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie is home to Da Vinci’s most famous painting, The Last Supper, and if you want to see it you’ll need to book four weeks in advance.
Milan is also home to one of the most famous opera houses in the world, the Teatro alla Scala, which opened in 1778. The Scala Museum is attached and contains many works of art related to opera.
Other monuments not to be missed include the soaring double arcade completed in 1877 called the Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II, which features a glass roof and central dome. Also be sure to visit the 15th-century Sforza Castle, now an art gallery housing Michelangelo’s last sculpture.
There is so much heritage and culture in Milan that we could easily fill an entire book describing it all: the city is a fast-moving, avant-garde metropolis that sets the pace not only in the world of fashion but in many others. other areas too.