Monuments

The Monuments

A good part of Milan’s artistic and architectural heritage is located in the old town centre that has been re-styled many times by town planners and architects in the period between the unification of Italy and the early post-war period, ending up as it is today.

The city’s flagship monument is the cathedral of Santa Maria Nascente, better known as the Duomo of Milan, located in Piazza Duomo, the hub of the city’s economic and cultural life. At a short distance away, there is the eighteenth century Teatro alla Scala, one of the most famous lyric theatres in the world. The Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery, an eclectic covered walkway made of visible iron and glass structures, connects Piazza della Scala and Piazza del Duomo.

Another symbolic monument of Milan is the Sforza Castle, originally conceived for military use only, and later redesigned as an elegant courtyard for the city’s nobles. Towards the east, there is the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, considered to be the second most important church in the city, and the complex that is home to the Santa Maria delle Grazie sanctuary and Da Vinci’s The Last Supper, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another location of notable artistic interest is the Monumental Cemetery, containing the tombs of the most illustrious Milanese citizens. More modern buildings include Milan Central Station, constructed in a style that combines the grandeur of the Fascist buildings with Liberty style decorations, and the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, nicknamed La Scala of football.

The city is also full of museums and art galleries; the most famous of these is certainly the Brera Art Gallery, which teams up with the Poldi Pezzoli Museum and the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana to form the most famous network of art galleries in Milan. Another important museum circuit is the Case Museo of Milan. La Triennale of Milan, a modern art exhibition centre, joins forces with PAC to provide spaces for the city’s modern art exhibitions. Last but not least, there are the science museums and the tens of smaller museums, such as the museum of the Sforza Castle.