Milan
Fashion Capital
General Information
Other Name: -, District: NA, State: Lombardy , Italy
Area: 0
Languages Spoken: Italian
Long Distance Code: -
Importance: Milan is renowned as one of the world capitals of design and fashion.
Best Time to Visit: - to - and -
International Access: -Description
Milan is the second largest city of Italy, located in the plains of Lombardy.The powerhouse of the country and one of the most stylish cities of the planet.But it is also a city with many important museums and wonderful monuments. See the Castello Sforzesco the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (which displays Leonardo’s Last Supper) the Brera Museum (Madonna and Child and Pieta by Bellini) and many other museums monuments and churches. Moreover, Milan is a lively city, with several pubs, discos and nightclubs.You hear of Milan being the fashion capital of the world, with its famous fashion shows and homes of well-renowned Italian designers, however, when most tourists visit Italy, they tend to overlook this city.Location
-Climate
Humid subtropical climate
On the first floor of the Palazzo di Brera is the Pinacoteca di Brera, one of Italy''s finest picture galleries, which contains among many other exhibits futuristic paintings of the 20th century. The picture collection was founded as a didactic collection of the Art Academy and its principal exhibits were formed by pictures from churches and acquisition from Rome. Only some of the rooms of the Pinacoteca are open to the public. The chief strength of the Pinacoteca di Brera lies in the works by the north Italian masters.
Designed in 1608 by Fabio Mangone, and commissioned by Federico Borromeo, this college was destined for the training of the Swiss clergy. Its monumental architecture revolves around the two courtyards cadenced by double columns. The facade is superb in a semicircular arrangement,by Franco Maria Richini, providing a link between the street front and the axis of the interior courtyards. Today the building houses Milan''s State Archives.There is a copy of a statue by Picasso on the small piazza in front of the facade.
Built in 1368 by Gian Galeazzo Visconti to defend the city from attack, the castle was enlarged by military architect Magatti under the instruction of Visconti''s successor Gian Galeazzo. Destroyed in 1447, it was rebuilt between 1450 and 1500 and enlarged under Francesco Sforza''s rule. In 1500, once Sforza''s rule was over, the building regained its military function and, after successive transformations, eventually fell into ruin. Rebuilt in the late 1900s, from 1893 onwards the castle gradually became home to various cultural institutions and art collections and remains so today.
Construction of the "Galleria", a typically 19th-century public building now used for events.Large plaster eagles support its dome, 47m high and made of iron and corrugated glass. Note the telamons and caryatids on the interior facades and the Neo-Renaissance-style stucco work and graffiti. The floor of the octagon was completely restored in 1966 in rare marble mosaic showing the emblems of Italian cities.
The Leonarda da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology is housed in a former Olivetan monastery. The museum, opened in 1953, illustrates the history of science and technology down to modern times. Of particular interest are the Leonardo da Vinci Gallery; the department of physics, with apparatus used by Galileo, Newton and Volta and the departments of optics, acoustics, telegraphy, transport, shipping, railroads, flying, metallurgy, motor vehicles, clocks and watches, and timber. There is also a library and reading room.
The gigantic central square in front of Milan cathedral has always been a reference point for Milan''s town planners. It was a meeting point for important roads before and during the Roman period. the 4th century, it was a religious centre with the construction of the Basilica of Santa Tecla, and the Baptistry of San Giovanni alle Fonti.Since 1386, the cathedral has been the religious and cultural centre of the city.
This space is wholly devoted to children''s entertainment. A large structure protected by nets and mattresses allows children to follow designated routes through slides, rubber balls, little staircases, tunnels and trap doors. Socks must be worn and the children are constantly supervised by young educators. There is also a bar with tables and chairs for parents.
There is an open area towards Piazza San Babila on Corso Vittorio Emanuele, onto which the impressive church of San Carlo al Corso looks. It was designed by the Neo-Classical architect, Carlo Amati.Amati succeeded in creating the open square in front of the church. The round church has a high dome.
Watched over by the Madonnina, the cathedral''s high rose marble spires represent the city''s most famous artistic and religious monument. The dimensions of Christendom''s third biggest church are still awe-inspiring at 108m high and 158m long. A range of architectural styles feature: doorways are 17th century, the central balcony from the late 18th Century and the three main upper windows early 19th-century pieces by Carlo Amati. The cathedral''s vast interior overwhelms: its impressive pillars, vaults and streamlined arches enhanced by light that floods through the splendid stained-glass windows and the wonderful statuary surrounding the naves.