Milan is a very beautiful city, but sometimes it cannot compete with Rome, Venice or Florence, so it is in the background when it comes to sightseeing. However, it does have many things to see, some spectacular, to be considered as a vacation destination.
Milan is the second largest city after Rome, and a very modern industrial nucleus, with a skyline full of skyscrapers, such as the famous Pirelli building. However, it also has beautiful streets in its old area and of course, with a famous cathedral.
Duomo of Milan
This is how the city's cathedral is known, a cathedral of marked gothic style with high pinnacles and statues that give it a stylized look. Its highest point is a gilded copper statue called the Madonnina. Its façade is already spectacular, with that brick clad in marble and its imposing silhouette. But a walk inside reveals much more about this cathedral. Keep in mind when entering, that to visit it you must have your knees covered and something on your shoulders.
Inside the cathedral you can see an equally stylized and very tall building, as it is one of the largest cathedrals in the world. Tall columns with sculpted statues reach up to the ceiling. There are also paintings among them that depict various religious scenes. It will definitely take us a while admire all the artistic details of the Duomo. It should also be noted that behind the altar, in the vault, one of its greatest treasures is kept, a nail from the Cross of Christ, which is only removed on the Saturday closest to September 14.
One of the visits that you should never miss in the cathedral is that of the panoramic terrace outside. You can go upstairs or by elevator with additional charge. From above you can see the pinnacles of the cathedral up close, as well as have great panoramic views of the city. And if you are interested in archeology, in the lower part of the cathedral there are excavations to preserve the remains of the old cathedral and the old Christian baptistery.
Sforzesco Castle
This castle was built as a fortress in the XNUMXth century, and renovated as a ducal palace by the Sforza family. Later it was used for military purposes and when it had been thought about its demolition, an architect restored it. Currently houses a few museums, so you can visit the inside and at the same time enjoy some artistic collections. Inside is the Museum of Ancient Art, where you can see the last work of Michelangelo, the Piedad Rondanini, an unfinished work. There is also a picture gallery, Egyptian or prehistory museum.
The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci
This is one of the most famous painting works in the world, and yes, it is located in Milan. It is on the wall of the dining room of the old convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, which was its first location. It is a great work, more than eight meters wide, created in the XNUMXth century. Of course, to be able to see it you have to book well in advance, so it is one of those things that you have to program on the trip, so that we can enter that day. The groups are small and give about fifteen minutes and no photographs can be taken.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
This great gallery was created in the XNUMXth century, and is also known as the Milan Hall. It is a commercial place, where the most exclusive stores and also restaurants and cafes. The large glazed vaults are surprising, which give the galleries a very modernist look. In addition, here you can find firms such as Prada or Gucci, among other luxury firms. For the more modest pockets, it is a place to take a walk and have a drink in the many establishments.
Green areas in Milan
When we are tired of seeing churches, abbeys and commercial areas in the city of Milan, we can go to one of its green spaces. One of the best known is the Sempione Park, which is also next to the Sforzesco Castle, so we can see both in a single afternoon. It is a park in which in addition to the green spaces you can see some buildings. The Arco della Pace that began to be built to commemorate Napoleon's victories, or the Arena Civica, a concert venue. It is a place to spend a few moments of rest.
On the other hand, there are also Public Gardens, in which you can see the XNUMXth century Palazzo Dugnani or the Natural History Museum. Another of the green areas of the city to rest from the city, which are also rare in Milan.