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The 8 Most Impressive Sights of Milan

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Milan is an elegant and cosmopolitan city proud of both its business importance and cultural heritage, and of course it's world famous for its fashion industry and shopping,

Duomo

Few can be indifferent to the magnificent Gothic building that is Milan's cathedral - the world's sixth largest, holding more than 40 000 people. Located at the heart of the historic center, with all roads leading to it, the Duomo was built over the course of six centuries, from 1386 to 1965.

La Scala

This famous opera house inaugurated in 1778 is imbued with elegance and grandeur, with its velvet seats, gilt walls, large mirrors, and extensive statuary. During the winter opera season, it's a who's who of Italy's elite - business people, politicians, celebrities, and the well heeled willing to pay 200 to 400 euros per ticket. They dress to kill, of course - the men in expensive suits, ladies in floor-length gowns and furs.

Leonardo da Vinci Museum

Milan's museum of science and technology is without a doubt Italy's most unusual and educational. Housed in an ancient onetime abbey, it has many indoor-outdoor exhibitions where you can see boats, planes, trains, trams, and even submarine. Especially interesting is the pavillion devoted to Leonardo da Vinci's inventions.

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Ambrosian Art Gallery

Part of the Ambrosian Library, this gallery is considered to be Milan's first (dating from 1618) and best art museum, home to works by Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian, and Leonardo da Vinci. There's also a full collection of da Vinci’s experiments, inventions, and manuscripts, and rare items such as Napoleon’s gloves and Lucrezia Borgia’s jewelry.

Modern Art Gallery

More than 2,500 works of art spread over 50 halls on two floors of a luxurious villa dating back to the 18th century. Masterpieces include those of Picasso, Renoir, Van Gogh and other masters of the 19th and 20th centuries. Nevertheless, its main strength is its collection of Modigliani and other Italian artists.

Brera Gallery

Europe's biggest art collection is housed in a lovely palazzo which originated as a Jesuit monastery. Artists represented here include Rubens, Raphael, Bellini, Caravaggio, Tintoretto, Titian, and others. You can also watch the painting restoration process in its huge ancient workshop.

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Sforza Castle

The most impressive of Milan's many castles dates back to the early 15th century, and features a large collection of rare paintings, sculptures of prominent Italians, and a hall dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci (who also decorated the castle). Other collections include antique furniture, clocks, musical instruments, and decor. Of particular note: Michelangelo’s last (and unfinished) sculpture, the Pietà Rondanini.

Golden Rectangle

Many visitors come not for the history or art, but the shopping. And many of the high-end shops are concentrated in the half dozen streets of the so-called Quadrilatero d’Oro, not far from the Duomo. Its bright windows and elegantly decorated showrooms are considered just as much an attraction as museums and castles.

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