|
|
|
Milan Duomo is largest and most intricate example of Gothic architecture and
a tribute to five centuries of artists, artisans, architects, builders,
engineers, wealthy and ordinary citizens who contributed to its
construction. The construction of this third largest church in the world
began in 1386 and finished in 1887. The cathedral is white marble, over a
brick core, and has a cruciform plan. The forest of pinnacles, the tracery
panels, and the rich embellishment with statuary identifies it as Late
Gothic. Closer to France than most Italian cathedrals, it borrows more
directly from the French "rayonnant" style.
|
The Teatro alla Scala was built in 1776 after the Regio Teatro Ducale (built
in 1589) was destroyed by a blazing fire. The severe, neo-classic building
which Giuseppe Piermarini has constructed on the site of the demolished
church of Santa Maria alla Scala (built in 1381 by Regina della Scala), was
completed, with great skill, in less than two years. The building, in fact,
is deemed to be one of the most perfect theatres in the entire world. Total
capacity - 2200 persons.
|
The oldest gardens were created in 1555 by the by Countess Paola Ludovica
Torelli della Guastalla. This beautiful public garden is a great place to go
and relax, taking a break from the crowded city. There is a large fish pond
in the middle and a baroque basin. This little charming garden is usually
less crowded than the other ones.
|
This Gothic church was erected by the Dominicans
in the mid-15th century, and a number of its more outstanding
features, such as the cupola, were designed by the
great Bramante. But visitors from all over the world
flock here to gaze on a mural in the convent next door.
In what was once a refectory, the incomparable Leonardo
da Vinci adorned one wall with The Last Supper (Il
Cenacolo Vinciano).
|
This fabulous museum displays its treasures in a
sumptuous, elegant salon setting of antique furnishings,
tapestries, frescoes, and Lombard wood carvings (it's
much like visiting the Frick Collection in New York
or the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston).
The remarkable collection includes paintings by many
of the old masters of northern and central Italy, such
as Andrea Mantegna's Madonna and Child, Giovanni Bellini's
Cristo Morto, and Filippo Lippi's Madonna, Angels,
and Saints (with superb composition). Antonio Pollaiolo's
Portrait of a Lady is a gorgeous portrait of haunting
originality. One room is devoted to Flemish artists,
and there's a collection of ceramics and also one of
clocks and watches.
|
The Brera Art Gallery is one of Italy's finest galleries and boasts an
exceptional collection of works by Lombard and Venetian masters. It was
initially founded by the Hapsburgs in the late 18th century, as a small
collection of paintings, sculptures and plaster copies to be used by the
Accademia's student body. Now there are excellent examples of Renaissance
works and other paintings by Italian and foreign Old Masters.
|
The Sforza Castle is a spectacular fortified palace built by the Viscontis
and the Sforzas, Signori of Milan, who held sway over Northern Italy between
the late Middle Ages and Renaissance.
The Castle was extensively renovated around 1900 to house museums and
libraries. Particularly outstanding is the art gallery, or Museo d'Arte
Antica, containing both paintings and sculptures. Its exhibits include the
Rondanini Pieta, last and perhaps most moving masterpiece by Michelangelo.
|
The Park occupies the place of the ancient Piazza d'Armi. It was initiated
in 1980 according to the designs of Architect Alemagna. It is a Romantic
style park with English style organization. It became, from the time of its
opening, a centre of public initiative for expositions such as the
re-uniting Exhibition of 1894 and the International Exhibition of 1906 from
which remains the functioning Aquarium pavilion. At its borders rises the
Art Palace, built in 1931 by design of Architect Giovanni Muzio, the centre
of the Triennial of Milan and the Park Towers, planned in 1933 by Gio Ponti.
It is bordered by the Castle, the arena, the Peace Arch, and the North
Railway yard.
|
The Milan's Public Gardens were designed (in 1786) by Giuseppe Piermarini -
the same 18th century architect as the Scala and Palazzo Reale and later
enlarged (in 1857) and embellished with funny fake rocks. It's a perfect
place to unwind and have a rest away from noisy city. The park is also
encompasses the Hoepli Planetarium and the Museo di Storia Naturale.
|
The stadium is situated in the San Siro district in the Ovest di Milano
(Western Milan) area, approx. 5.5km from the city centre. This stadium is
the home for AC Milan Football Club. The official name is Stadio Giuseppe
Meazza and there is seating capacity of over 85,000.
|
Fiera Milano is one of the largest and busiest exposition
centers in Europe. Every year, over 75 events take
place in its 26 pavilions, many of which are of worldwide
importance. To complement its fairground activity,
in 1994, Fiera Milano created Fiera Milano Congressi,
whose mission is to provide world-class customized
convention services.
|
La Rinascente, well known Italian shopping point owned by Fiat Group, is in
a large eight floors building of Piazza Duomo - the main square of Milan. It
was named 'La Rinascente' by D'Annunzio after a big fire that destroyed an
old shop here located. You can find here everything you need, it's open 7
days in a week untill 22 pm.
|
Milan Central Station is one of the main European train stations. It was
designed in 1912 by architect Ulisse Stacchini and the building was
officially opened on July 1, 1931 in the presence of Foreign Minister
Galeazzo Ciano. Its face is 200 metres wide and its vault 72 metres high, a
record when it was built. It has 24 platforms. Each day about 320,000
passengers transit by the station, totalling about 120 million per year.
|
Milan Malpensa Airport has two terminals. The new Terminal 1 was opened in
1998, designed to handle 24 million passengers each year, extensive car
parking facilites were installed and a fast rail link to the city started
operating in 1999. The old terminal, an eight minute bus ride away, has been
refurbished and named Terminal 2. Terminal 1 is the larger of the two
terminals. It handles most domestic and international flights, Terminal 2 is
mostly for charter flights plus a few international services.
|
|
|
|
|
