Travel Guide for Milan
Milan – the northern capital of Italy (of course, unofficial) and the main city of Lombardy region – annually visits a huge number of tourists – about 30 million people per year. Connoisseurs of painting and antique architecture, admirers of the opera and experts of dramatic art, historians and linguists, entrepreneurs and businessmen, people who follow the fashion. To be more interesting to meet the city, I offer you my guide to Milan for independent travelers.
Milan Attractions on the map
The city is very different from the other cities of Italy and in architectural style, and in character.
Milan can not be called slow and good-natured, he hides his oldest secrets and secrets – they need to be able to see, he is more Middle Eastern, than Truly Italian. Here, medieval fortresses and castles, the palaces of the era of classicism and the superior skyscrapers are harmoniously. Milan is quite simple to get to any point of Italy, it is associated with many cities in Europe. In a word, Milan – European Center Italy.
How he became
Milan – an ancient city with a turbulent story.
He was based on the Insurbov tribe in about 600 to n.NS., . In 222 g. to N.NS. He was conquered by the Romans and gave a name Mediolant, What does "middle ground" mean. Milan has always rolled with Rome for the capital status, in the 4th century fought for this status and with equal. Was destroyed by the Ostroat and Huns and in the end, conquered by lanogbards.
Milan’s closest city – Bergamo
In 1045, Milan became an independent state and began to conquer neighboring cities: Pavia, Cremona, Como. Milan, as a result, became the main city of Lombardy. In 1162, it was destroyed by Friedrich Barbarossa almost to the base, but in five years the city was restored with the help of a pawn-league of cities, which was able to defeat Barbarossa in 1176 in the battle at Lenyano.
The XIII century for Milan – the time of the fierce struggle of two parties, the struggle, framed by the whole Italy: The party of the Glevives (supporters of the authorities of the Pope) and Diembalians were fought for the influence of the Eye. Milan in Milan took over. The city and the whole region until the XV century began to edit the Visconti Dynasty. Duchy appeared on the site of the republic. In the XV century, Visconti family changed Fortun family. With their courtyard worked Leonardo da Vinci And Donato Bramante.
The turn of the XV-XVI centuries was marked by the struggle for Milan Duchy between the royal houses of France and Spain. Almost two hundred years from the middle of the XVI century, Milan lived under the fifth Spaniards in economic and cultural stool. From the end of the XVII-early XIX century, the city passed from hand to hand, becoming the capital of the Napoleonic Italian kingdom, then just the city under the Austrian Office. In the end, the patriotic struggle in Italy led to the creation of a single Italian state, which I entered Milan in 1861. At first, he even had to become the capital, but for a number of reasons did not happen.
Milan, who became the most important industrial and financial center of the country, seriously suffered during World War II, but in the post-war years he was quickly restored, and today Milan – the center of the industry, finance, fashion and culture of Italy.
How to get to Milan
Milan has three airports:
- First – Malpensa is the largest. This is an international airport that serves almost all leading airlines in the world.
- Second – a small airport "Linate" – It works mainly with flights inside the Schengen zone.
- The third Milan airport is the city of Bergamo Airport "Orio Al Serio".
Basic connections with Russia, of course, at Malpensa. From Moscow At this airport directly fly airplanes Aeroflot and Alitalia. St. Petersburg Sends to Milan flights of the same airlines.
How to buy flights to buy online tickets
Aeroflot and Alitalia are democratic in ticket prices do not differ.
But you can always choose a complex route that increases the time on the way, but it does not hit the pocket. In addition, the duration of the journey is often not so great. If direct Flight from Moscow to Milan last three and a half hours, then the flight, for example, with airBaltic will be put in five and a half hours, given the transplant in Riga, and will cost decent cheaper.
Site Aviasales will find you many options for complex routes.
Airplanes "Victory" fly directly to Milan, takes their airport Bergamo.
If you plan to come In Milan from other cities, Including from neighboring countries, at your service are central Milan Railway Station – Milano Centrale. There are three more railway stations in the city that receive trains of different directions. But anyway, all major rail routes will lead you to Central Station.
To select a train and buying ticket online, it is convenient to use the site: TRENITALIA.Com.
How to get from Milan airports to the city
From Malpensa Airport The city is easy to reach the train or bus. Train Malpensa Express goes away from Terminal 2, In the way to Central Station, Milan, he is an hour, one end is worth a ticket 13 Euro.
From the airport there is another express until Milan-Cainn Station. It is important not to confuse directions.
Tickets can be bought as at the airport (at the box office or in the machine) and online: MalpanesaExpress.IT. Trains go every half an hour.
Bus service between "Malpensa" and Milan has been perfectly well.
This direction serves three companies: "Malpensa Shuttle", "Terravision" and "Stie". The route is from the airport (terminal 1 with a stop at Terminal 2) to the Central Station. Buses go one after another, the interval between flights is rather short. Tickets can be bought from the driver, at the airport itself. Ticket price for Malpensa Shuttle 10 Euro, Two other companies – 8. A trip to the city takes an average hour. It all depends on the presence of traffic jams.
Be careful: to offer buy tickets you can already in the luggage issue – look carefully, a ticket which company you buy.
From "Malpensa" a bus goes to Bergamo and Orio Al Serio Airport ". Flights are performed by Malpensa Shuttle: Orioshuttle.Com. On the site you will find a schedule and the possibility of buying ticket online. Worth a ticket 18 euros. Sometimes there are also discounts.
If you arrived in Milan Airport Linate, located almost in the city feature, then the city will be able to leave or on a flight By bus number 73 (Urban transport tickets for 1.50 euros for 90 minutes, the driver does not buy them, At the airport, you need to look for Tabacchi rack), Which will take you to almost the center (stop at the subway San Babila, is five minutes walk from Duomo), or AIRBUS bus: ATM.IT, which for 5 euros will take you to the Central Station.
From Bergamo Airport "Orio Al Serio" Milan Central Station Rooms Buses of Terravision. About their schedule, cost of tickets and frequency of travel, see the article Bergamo in one day.
The return route to airports begins, as a rule, from the square at the Central Station.
Where to stay in Milan
Excursions with a local guide
I found two interesting excursions in Milan. Both guides are Russian and speak Russian, both live in Milan. Walking around the city with a locals are always more interesting.
Velotroogulka in Milan
I will show you and tell you about places that are not described in guidebooks and are not included in the excursion routes. You will get acquainted with the causing monument to Maurizio Kattelan, visit the ruins of the time of the Roman Empire, ride on the aristocratic residential area of the city, see an unusual nursing home, Villa Silvio Berlusconi, the house of the owner Alpha Romeo.
Futuristic Milan
Milan – fashionable megapolis, where every day is filled with events where I study and work. Usually everyone is watching the center and seek traces of an old Milan, but as a designer I want to tell you about modern Milan, show which extraordinary places there are in this city, which often do not have the idea of the most famous guidebooks.
10 best attractions of Milan
Milan for a day or two bypass. The city of large, sign and attractions is filled with an excess, though, truth for the sake of, it should be noted that Almost all historical sights are collected within the "First Ring" ; so called the boundaries of medieval Milan now. Therefore, to say with certainty, what to see in Milan in one day or even for two, quite difficult: too large. But still try to celebrate those places and sights, without which the trip to the capital of Lombardy will be reduced to zero.
Duomo (Milan Cathedral)
Milan symbol elevates its openwork walls from white marble on the main square of the city. Of course, this place can be boldly called Milan’s heart. Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary was laid in 1386 and was built up to 1965. Duomo is planned and built in a rare for Italy of the time of the flaming Gothic style. It is amazing that this style, despite almost 600 years of construction, was settled to the end. The only renaissance element in the architecture of the cathedral was the proposed Leonardo da Vinci and Donato Bramte octagonal at the base of the dome.
In the cathedral stored a nail with which Christ core.
Each November in the cathedral is exhibited by Quadoni San Carlo: this is a big series of picturesque work about the life of St. Carlo Borromeo, Cardinal, Milan Archbishop, who lived in the XVI century. San Carlo is buried in Duomo, Crypt with his sarcophagus can be visited. Cathedral is mindfully beautiful both outside and inside. Over his decoration for the six centuries of construction worked many wonderful artists and sculptors.
Cathedral decorated with three thousand statues.
On the roof of the cathedral, you can climb the stairs from the northern wall or on the elevator from the apse, the roof offers a beautiful view of the city and the spiers of the Cathedral.
The cathedral Open daily from 8:00 to 19:00.
Crypt with Sarcophag San Carlo takes visitors
- Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 17:30,
- On Saturday – from 11:00 to 17:00,
- Sunday – from 13:30 to 15:30.
Big Museum Duomo is waiting for guests daily from 10:00 to 18:00.
Ticket to Cathedral, Crypt and Museum one, worth 3 Euro. The rise on the roof of the cathedral costs – 9 euros on foot on the stairs and 13 euros on the elevator.
Victor-Emmanuel II Gallery II
To the left of Duomo is located well-known not only in Milan and the whole Italy, but also all over the world, huge and at the same time elegant building of the Gallery of Victor-Emmanuel II. This is one of the first shopping passages in Europe. Gallery connects the area of Duomo with an area on which the La Scala Theater. The passage is built in the form of a Latin Cross with an octagonal center, decorated with mosaic images of four continents. The gallery covers the dome of glass and iron, which gives the whole building of the air. Milanans call the passage just gallery or salon Milan.
Here are the shops of leading world brands Prada, Dolce&Gabbana, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Bookstores Rizzoli, Bocca, Feltrinelli, famous cafes and restaurants, exhibitions and concerts. The gallery has a hotel. But he is on the pocket of only a very important guest: For its seven-known status, the hotel "Town House Seven Stars Galleria" takes from 5 thousand euros per night.
In the center of the gallery on the floor depicted bull. Note says that if you turn on the heel, standing on the bull, then you will return to Milan. Milantians themselves are confident that this ritual protects against the evil. This admission was checked by very many guests of the Passage, the proof is the dent in the floor.
The architecture of the gallery (the author of the project – Giuseppe Mengony) can be enjoyed at any time of the day, Gallery is open around the clock. Stores, however, work only from 10:00 to 22:00.
Victor-Emmanuel II gallery site: Ingalleria.Com.
Soft Castle
Not far from Piazza Duomo is another symbol of Milan – Castello Soroforesco or Sforza Castle. It’s hard to believe, but five hundred years ago this place was a suburb of Milan. It was here that the duke of Wisconti in the XIV century built a castle for himself, which was disassembled by the bricks with the rebels of Milanians, but in the next century after the modernity of the Milan throne of Francesco Sforza, the castle was rebuilt again. Leonardo da Vinci, who served at the courtyard of the Dukes Sforza.
Walls and towers of the castle with bunned teeth served as a sample for the same teeth on the walls and towers of the Moscow Kremlin, which was built by Italian architects.
In subsequent years, the Milan Castle strengthened, expanded, surrounded by the RV. With the fall of the house of Sforza, he was used as a soldier’s barracks. When Napoleon, Milanians put forward the idea that the castle of Sforza divided the destiny of Bastille, but the French emperor did not agree with this, and ordered the park before the castle, This park exists to this day.
In 1833, a large-scale reconstruction was conducted in the castle, even the ditch around the walls of Castello was restored, and in 1900, rebuilt the Tower of Filaret, who died in 1521, when the powder warehouse exploded from the blow in the tower.
Today through the courtyard of the castle of Sforza You can walk freely and for free, inspecting walls, yards and towers.
Museums are located inside the castle:
- Museum "Petie Rondanini"
- Michelangelo,
- Archaeological Museum (Egyptian Section and Prehistoric Section),
- Museum of Furniture and Wooden Sculpture,
- Museum of Antique Art,
- Museum of decorative arts,
- Museum of musical instruments,
- Pinakotek.
Museums work daily, except Mondays, from 9:00 to 17:30. Tickets to the museum are under 5 Euro.
Every Wednesday from 14:00, all the days an hour before the closure and every first Sunday of the month – the entrance is free.
Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie
Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie began to be built during the years when the artistic and economic development of Milan reached its peak. Construction began in 1463. The church was the main church of the Dominican Monastery, who ordered from Leonardo da Vinci, Fresco for its refectory. The Last Supper was written in the period from 1495 to 1497.
Fate fresco is quite dramatic. Already twenty years after writing, paints because of the moisture began to be tracked, the fresco began to collapse, then the monks pierced the door in the wall, cutting off part of the niza frescoes, Napoleon’s soldiers using the church as a stable, threw in the images of stones, and during the Second World War Wars on the roof of the church exploded bombs.
In the 20th century, the last large-scale restoration of the "Secret Supper" was held, who was attended to keep the masterpiece of the Great Master and correct all the mistakes made at the previous restorations. But according to experts, the current fresco is only a shadow from a masterpiece created by the genius of Leonardo. NSFill to the fresco is quite difficult. They are watching groups of 25 people.
How to see a secret evening
To see the "Last Supper", you need to book your visit in advance with, right there you have to pay. Make it need in advance, best online on the site vivaticket.IT, where you can choose the date of your hike to church.
Ticket price 10 Euro + 2 euros For the design of the order. There are also phones.
Move to Milan from St. Petersburg and study in Italy
Pinakotek Brera
Founded in 1776 by order of the Austrian Empress Mary Teresia, Pinakotek was at first for storing paintings from the abolished churches and monasteries, and at the same time the meeting was a visual allowance for students of the Academy of Fine Arts. The collection was replenished with gifts and donations. Today is One of the largest art museums Milana. Pinakotek occupies a luxurious baroque palace of the late XVI – early XVII centuries, in thirty-eight of his halls, Ambrodzhio Lorenzetti, Tintoretto, Karpaccio, Donato Bramte, Raphael and many other famous Italian artists. Pictures are presented in chronological order and on schools – Venetian, Florentine, Lombard. Presented in Pinakotek and the art of the XX century.
Pinakotek is open daily, except Monday, from 8:30 to 19:15.
Ticket price – 10 Euro.
Amvrosian Basilica
Basilica of Saint Amvrosia Built on the site of the burial of the early Christian martyrs in the XI century. According to the legend in 380, the Holy Ambrose Mediolsky found here the burial of martyrs Gervasia and Protasia and ordered to build a basilica at this place. Initially, it was called – the Basilica of Martyrs. After the death of the Saint Amvrosy, buried in Basilica, she began to be called him name. Contemporary building built in 1080-1128.
Romanesque Basilica Style emphasize the long atrium at the entrance, two towers on the right and left. In basil you will see Gold altar IX century, Apsida laid out by mosaic XIII century, sarcophagi with the relics of Saint Amvrosia and Martyrs Gervasia and Parvasia. Close to approach them will not be able to see them through the glass covers of sarcophagus. Very interesting and Capella San Wittor.
AMVROSIAN Basilica is open daily, opening hours: from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 14:30 to 18:00, on Sunday – from 15:00 to 17:00.
Theater La Scala
Famous La Scala Opera House for the whole world founded in 1778. It is standing on the site of the former church of Santa Lucia della the rock, from which his name got. The word does not mean the staircase ("Staircase" in Italian "Scala"), rock (scaliger) – the surname of the rulers of Verona. The patroness of the old church was Beatrice Della Rock, the wife of the then ruler of Milan.
From the end of the XVIII century, the Opera of Italian composers was put in the theater. Over time, the situation has become such: the premiere of a new opera in La Scala – an incredible honor for the composer and the quality mark of his work. Opera Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini, Verdi, Pucchini saw on the stage of La Scala. The main conductor in the theater at different times were Arturo Tuscanini, Guido Kantelli, Riccardo Muti. The best voices of the world sang on this scene.
To visit the play in La Scala means to join in high world musical and theater culture. Tickets in the theater are not seeing – from 40 to 160 euros, Depending on the place and the performance, but the quality of the production, the sound of the votes of artists and the orchestra cost this money.
Museum of Polandi Pezzoli
The richness of the museum collection suggests that this Museum is one of the oldest in the world. However, he opened in 1881. The museum is located in a former residential building belonging to the passionate collector Aristocrat Jian Giacomo Poland Petzoli.
In the halls of the museum there are samples of picturesque art of the Middle Ages, early Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo. Also you will find a collection of weapons and armor in the halls, a meeting of furniture and tapestries, a classic Italian sculpture. In individual halls, the art of painters of northern Italy and the Dutch masters is presented.
The museum is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 (on Wednesdays – day off). The ticket costs 10 Euro.
Basilica San Lorenzo
Basilica, the full name of which Basilica San Lorenzo-Maggiore leads his beginning from the IV century. It was built, probably, with the Holy Amvrosia, the Mediogenian. Later, repeatedly rebuilt, from the initial construction of the Basilica has an ancient Baptistery and the bell tower of the XII century, and the general architectural solution remains unchanged. In one of the chapels you will be able to inspect a few laterant mosaics, there are still ancient Roman columns around the church – the remains of the Term of Emperor Maximilian.
Basilica is open: from 8:30 to 18:30 (Monday – Saturday) and from 9:00 to 19:00 on Sundays.
Monumental cemetery
Milan Necropolis is open in 1866. The best architects worked on his walls, and the tombstones did famous sculptors. Under the plates of the Chimyter Monumental, the great people of Milan and Italy are resting: composer Giuseppe Verdi, writer Alessandro Mandzoni, Conductor Arturo Tuscanyini. Even if you are not very strong in Italian history, you can just wander through the alleys and look at the sculpture; Milan’s monumental cemetery long compared with the sculpture museum.
The cemetery is open daily, except Monday, from 8:00 to 18:00. Free admission.
This is a pretty short list of Milan’s attractions. Bypassing the iconic places on this list for 1-2 days quite difficult, you need to choose.
From Milan you can go to the surrounding cities: Como, Bergamo (how to get to Bergamo, I told in the article "Bergamo in one day").
Shopping in Milan
Milan for most city guests – first of all, Capital of fashion and Center for World Shopping.
Going to Milan to gain a goal, it is worth remembering that the periods of July-August and January-February are the seasons of large discounts and extensive sales in Italy. They are waiting for not only foreign guests, but the Italians themselves.
You can update the wardrobe in the city itself and in country outlet.
In the city there are several places perceived as Mecca for Shopogoloikov. First-invot Victor-Emmanuel II Gallery II. Right behind the area of Duomo begins the quarter Quadrilater-della-fashion: The most prestigious world boutiques and shops are concentrated here.
Long Corso Buenos Aires – The most popular shopping street in Milan. There are many shops and reasonable prices. Here you will open our doors of large universes, boutiques, antique shops, second-handers.
Outlets will meet you in the city, they will start to come across in those of the most trading quarters. But two main outlet are outside the city.
Outlet Serravalle – This is about 170 stores from democratic to luxury, many cafes and places for recreation. It is 50 minutes away from Milan. Buses-Shuttles depart from the Central Station, from the Duomo Square and Corso Buenos Aires. Ticket price – 20 euros. With the schedule of buses, you can be found on the website: McArthurglen.Com. You can buy a ticket here. Site Russified.
With outlet Fox Town The situation is somewhat more difficult. He is actually in Switzerland, to go to him one and a half hours. The bus departs from Zani Viaggi agency at Milan Visitor Center, Largo Cairoli, 18 twice a day at 10 am and at 13 o’clock in the afternoon, with return to Milan, respectively at 18:30 and at 20:30. Ticket price – 20 euros. All information about outlet and ways to get to it can be found on the website: FOXTOWN.Com.
That’s all. Successfully go. I hope my guide to Milan you liked. If you have something to add it, please write about it in the comments. Your opinion is important to me.
