Episode 134: Milan, North Star - Il Duomo, Navigli Grande, Trams, Fashion & Aperitivo Culture

MilanoItalyTravel PlacesFavourite CitiesLombardy Italy

Mar 13

Today I share some fabulous things to do if you are on a budget or just a savy traveler and why Milano should not be ignored. It is one of the most charming and underrated cities in Italy and very beautiful too. So I want to share my favourite things to do for free and what to eat. There is so much to do and see, from the fabulous historic trams to wandering the Navigli canals to wandering the high fashion scene of Milan.

Milan is sophisticated and beautiful, yes, but it is not a gate keeper. I felt safe happy and loved exploring this city. It is a city of families and students and has a great vibe. Is more casual than you think and I felt right at home there. the food is excellent and the aperitvo scene is all happening. I would say it is casual elegance, sophisticated but not a snob. It is cool and fun and you should definitely make time to explore this great northern city of Italy.

Beginning in 1386, this Gothic beauty took six centuries to complete and is dedicated to the Nativity of Saint Mary. It is said to be the largest cathedral in Italy (St Peters in Rome is bigger but that belongs to the Sovereign state of Vatican City) and remains a popular spot for the locals and the tourists to meet and explore Milan. Geographically and centrally located in the heart of Milano, you could circumnavigate the square to investigate the cities architectural and artistic treasures. And one of the lovely things is that the many trams that hum around the city and traverse the main cathedral square. It is said to be the "hub of Milanese Life", in the magnificent Piazza del Duomo.

The Entrance to the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele II

To the side of the Piazza del Duomo are two inviting arches designed by Guiseppe Mengoni that lead into the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele II. After the Risorgimento and at the beginning of a newly unified Italy the city of Milan was a hub of activity and transformation. By the year 1865 there were new plans all over Italy to honour the achievements of Garibaldi and his men, and to celebrate the King Vittorio Emmanuele II.

The Piazza del Duomo and then the Gallery we see today were for the next few years to be the landmarks of innovation, function and visual beauty. And to this day the triumphal arches you see when entering the gallery are potent reminders of the power and commercial presence that Milan represents.

When you first walk into the Gallery you see many an elegant Caffe that are full of locals, and the many visitors to the city. Certainly the fact that the high end fashion retailers like Prada, Dior, Moncler, Louis Vuitton and others are the first boutiques you come across give you a sense just how regal and important to Italian culture this space is.

I loved watching all of the people taking photos in front of the stores, perhaps for their Instagram profiles. It was definitely a hive of activity for the people strolling about to admire the beautiful window displays, and like me who were looking up, down and around to take in the visual decor of the mosaic floors, the paintings, the architecture, and the grand gallery itself.

From the Centro Storico to Brera walking adventure

Shownotes:

Visit Milano - YesMilano

Quadrilateral del Silenzio - Near Corso Venezia, this neighborhood is framed by Via Serbelloni, Via Mozart, Via Cappuccini, and Via Vivaio

Quadrilateral della Moda - Via Montenapoleone, Via Manzoni, Via della Spiga, Corso Venezia

Navigli Canals - Grande Navigli zone for the lovely ambience of restaurants and Italian culture, a great place for aperitivo and bars

Free Civic Museums on the first Sunday of the month (and do be aware that often in Italy these museums are closed on Mondays)

Novocento Museum in the Piazza del Duomo

Via Montenapoleone, Via Manzoni, Via della Spiga, Corso Venezia is the high street zone of the Fashion Quadrilateral of Milan - *The Quadrilateral della Moda*

Quadrilateral Fashion District - Quadrilateral della Moda

"In Milan, one feels at once the charm of a great city and the sweetness of Italian life" - Stendhal (Marie-Henri Beyle)

Porta Ticinese - Piazza Ventiquattro, close to the Navigli Grande

The trams of Milan are very beautiful with their bright colours that weave in and around the city centres. There are many historic carriages like this one that tours around the Piazza della Scala just beyond the Duomo. The network is 181km long and has been operating since early in the 1880s, and has had a number of reiterations with advances in transportation over the years. They trundle along up and down the main streets and into the inner suburbs of the city making quite the vision for the locals and visitors to the city.