Milan The City map of Milan
Milan Main city of northwestern Italy, located in the plains of Lombardy Most populated, developed region 1,308,500 inhabitants, Urban area = 4,000,000 people.
Milan Milan's name has for many centuries been recorded as Mailand, still the German name for the city. Comes from the Celtic Medelhan "in the middle of the plain, known as Mediolanum by the Romans. In local Lombard dialect, Milán.
Milan One of the world s capital cities of fashion and design. Via Montenapoleone & Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Piazza Duomo are reputed to be the world's oldest shopping mall. Major European financial and business centre. Also famous for the Alfa Romeo motorcar and for its silk production. A famous product is the traditional Christmas sweet cake called panettone. Inhabitants of Milan are referred to as "Milanese. Milan hosted the World Exposition in 1906.
History Presumably founded by the Celts around 600 B.C. Conquered around 222 B.C. by the Romans, who gave it the name of Mediolanum. In the 4th century AD, at the time of the bishop Saint Ambrose (patron saint of Milan) and emperor Theodosius I, the city was briefly the capital of the Western Roman Empire.
History 11th century, city led in gaining semi-independence from the Holy Roman Empire. During the Plague of 1349 Milan was untouched by the epidemic. During the Renaissance, ruled by dukes of the Visconti and Sforza families, who had artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Bramante at their service. Conquered by France, later on by Austria, given early 16th century to Spain.
History 18th century Austria replaced Spain. French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars annexed city into French satellite states of the Cisalpine Republic. Later the city was reconquered by Austria. Eventually became a main center of Italian nationalism, claiming independence and the unification of Italy. In 1859 Austrian rule was ended by the Kingdom of Sardinia (transformed into the kingdom of Italy in 1861).
History As a critical industrial center of Italy, Milan was the target of continuous carpet bombing during World war II. Milan was part of Mussolini's Italian Social Republic puppet state, an important command centre of the German Army stationed in Italy. When war in Italy was over, April 25 1945, Milan was heavily damaged. After the war, the city was reconstructed and has again become an important financial and industrial centre of Italy.
Monuments Central Station Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II Duomo Santa Maria delle Grazie
Monuments Santa Maria delle Grazie church: The Church was built between 1466 and 1490. The refectory holds Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper.
Monuments Duomo di Milano: one of the most famous buildings in Europe. Particularly large, elaborate Gothic Cathedral on the main square. Milan's Duomo is the second largest Roman Catholic cathedral: only the cathedral of Seville is larger (as is Saint Peter s basilica in Rome, which is not a cathedral). It is 157mt.s long, 40,000 people can fit comfortably within. The great windows of the choir reputed to be the largest in the world.
Monuments Milan Central Station: a main European train station. Railroad terminus officially inaugurated in 1931 to replace the old (1864) central station, which was a transit station and couldn't stand the new traffic caused by the opening of the Sempione tunnel (1906). 200-metre-wide facade & 72-mt-high vault, a record when it was built. 24 platforms. 320,000 passengers per day, 120 million per year. No definite architectural style, but a blend of many different styles, especially Liberty and Art Deco. Dubiously characterized as one of the most beautiful stations in the world, together with New York's Grand Central Terminal
Monuments Basilica of Saint Ambrose: Among the oldest churches in Milan. Begun in 379a.d., consecrated by Saint Ambrose in 386. The apse and the presbitery constructed 10th c. Lomabard-Romanesque style. Bramante, a famous Italian architect, built the cloisters and the portico of the rectory. Facade flanked on either side by two bell-towers.
Fashion Vittorio Emanuele II s Gallery in Milan is a cross-shaped covered complex passage connecting Piazza della Scala and Piazza Duomo. Ecclectic design with grotesques, half moon windows, typical of 1800s Milanese architecture. High fashion shops and prestigious brand name stores (Gucci Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Dior) found there, along with famous cafés and restaurants. Together with Montenapoleone and Spiga streets, it makes up the heart of the Milanese shopping district.
What are we going to see? First Exposition: Max Bill. Milan celebrates one of the most important exponents of 1900s Art, Max Bill. A large exhibition about this Swiss architect, designer and painter through 250 works which show the production of one of the most versatile Bauhaus artists.