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17 Top Things To Do In Milan, Italy

Authors
  • avatar
    Name
    Jonathan Chum
    Twitter
    @jchum

Introduction

Milan is one of Italy's largest and most important cities, so it's no surprise that there are tons of things to do. From the beautiful Duomo di Milano to the world-famous Last Supper painting, there's something for everyone in Milan. Here are some suggestions for your next trip!

Church of Santa Maria Delle Grazie

Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper

Perhaps you've heard of The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. Well, this is the same one. It's one of the most famous paintings in Italy and is located in the Church of Santa Maria Delle Grazie in Milan.

Other things to see at this church

  • Stairway of Angels (the stairway leads up to where The Last Supper hangs)

  • Frescoes by Luini on walls and ceilings (Luini was a pupil of Leonardo)

Pinacoteca di Brera

Pinacoteca di Brera is a public art museum in Milan, Italy.

The Pinacoteca di Brera and the Museo di Arte Moderna di Milano are housed in the same building, which was built for the Brera Academy of Fine Arts. The museum offers a wide range of exhibitions including collections, temporary exhibitions, and events.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a 19th-century covered shopping arcade in Milan, Italy. It was built between 1867 and 1877 by Giuseppe Mengoni and paves the area between Piazza del Duomo and Piazza Della Scala. With about 2,200 shops divided into nine major passages or streets, it is one of the oldest and largest arcades in Europe (the length of its main path is 1 kilometer).

The Galleria connects with La Scala opera house via an overlap building on part of the block occupied by La Scala's garden; this overlap building contains a variety of cafes, fast food outlets, and some mid-range restaurants as well as several shops selling apparel and accessories. The northern end connects with the Bon Marché department store (now called Upim), while the southern end leads onto Bovisa railway station through Passante Ferroviario di Porta Genova underground passageway; this passageway leads to Milan Central Station on one side and Ticinese railway station on another side.

Teatro Alla Scala

Teatro Alla Scala is a theatre in Milan, Italy. It is one of the most important opera houses in the world, and has been described as having been the inspiration for opera houses around the world; its history and musical performances have included several particularly notable moments.

The theatre was originally built in 1778 by Francesco Galli Bibiena to host comic operas of Antonio Salieri. The librettist Carlo Goldoni created some of his works in this theater during his stay in Milan (between 1748 and 1755). In 1810 it changed its name to "Teatro Regio Ducal" ("Royal Ducal Theatre") when it became an autonomous part of Napoleon's Kingdom of Italy; however, after Napoleon's defeat, it was renamed back to Teatro Alla Scala.

Castello Sforzesco

Castello Sforzesco (also known as the Castle of Milan, Italian: Castello Sforzesco) is a castle in Milan, northern Italy. It was built in the 15th century by Francesco I Sforza and enlarged by his successors. The castle currently houses several museums and art collections.

The first fortifications at this location were built by the Romans as early as 1035 to protect their settlement from invasion by the barbarians. The original structure was made up of two walls that were connected by towers and a moat with water flowing through it; this would be where the name "Castle" comes from Castel - meaning castle - followed by Forza - which means force or strength.

The castle was designed by architect Filarete who also designed Saint Mary of Grace's Church (Church Of Santa Maria Delle Grazie). It has been modified over time but always kept its medieval appearance until today when it has been restored to its original look thanks to ongoing restoration efforts being carried out since 1846 but most notably under Vittorio Alfieri during the 1900s which resulted in many additions such as new windows being added to floors for example along with some other cosmetic changes such as replacing old roofs with newer ones made out material such as stone instead cement tiles which could have caused more damage than good due their weight so fixing that problem meant less work needed later on down road making repairs much easier to do without worrying about breaking something else while doing so because it

is all one material. The castle has been used in many different ways over its long history, from a military base to a prison and even as a home for the royal family of Italy.

Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci

The Museo Nazionale Della Scienza e Della Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci is on the banks of the River Seveso, in a former prison. Here, you'll find many fascinating exhibits related to science and technology.

What makes this museum unique? It was named after Leonardo da Vinci because he was born nearby and spent some time there as a young man. You can see his drawings on display along with other artifacts from his life, such as models for flying machines and submarines (he was an inventor) as well as paintings depicting his inventions in action!

The museum has several sections:

  • The first floor contains original designs by Da Vinci himself; these include plans for weapons and musical instruments as well as more whimsical machines like those mentioned above that never quite made it off the ground... but could have if only they had been built sooner!

  • The second floor contains a model railway layout that shows how people traveled through different eras using different modes of transportation (e.g., horseback riding vs taking trains). This section also includes information about how cars were built over time until they reached their current form today (and even beyond!). If you're interested in learning how things work under the hood then definitely go here---you'll find out all kinds of interesting things about engines running at high speeds or even underwater conditions!

Navigli is an area of Milan that's known for its restaurants and cafes. It has a canal system that dates back to the Middle Ages and is open to visitors.

If you want to see Navigli, head towards the canal where there are lots of shops on either side of it. There's even a street lined with stores selling designer clothes directly across from the waterway!

Duomo di Milano

The Duomo is the main church of Milan, and it's dedicated to Santa Maria Nascente, the patron saint of Milan. The cathedral was built in 1386 and has a facade that is decorated with statues.

The Duomo di Milano is one of Italy's most recognizable cathedrals, with its four towering spires reaching toward heaven. This Gothic masterpiece was originally built by Francesco Pecorari between 1386 and 1465 (with further additions being made into the 16th century). It's a spectacular example of Italian architectural prowess---and if you don't believe me, just look at those gorgeous spires!

The interior of this church is equally impressive: designed by Antonio Filarete di Crémone in 1452-1468, it features elaborate frescoes from artists such as Gaudenzio Ferrari (1448), Giovanni Bono da Ponte (1466), Luca Fancelli (1528) and Bramantino (1536). The ceiling frescoes were painted by Pellegrino Tibaldi between 1586 and 1587 alongside his brother Bernardino Tibaldi; they depict scenes from Genesis which illustrate how God created all life on Earth using only water particles collected earlier during Creation Week.

Teatro Alla Scala

If you're looking for a way to get in touch with your inner diva, then you should check out the Teatro Alla Scala. Located in Milan's city center, this theatre is one of Italy's most famous---so much so that it has been referred to as "the temple of opera." In addition to hosting performances by world-class singers and musicians, it has played host to some extremely talented actors over the years. From Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto and Aida (1871) to Anna Netrebko's Rusalka (2003) and Luciano Pavarotti's Pagliacci (1972), this venue has seen it all. Whether you're into opera or not (I'm not), visiting this venue will give you an idea of just how spectacular Italy is from an architectural standpoint!

Along with being beautiful, Teatro Alla Scala is also quite historic; construction started on its foundations back in 1778! The interior consists mostly of marble columns supporting lavish chandeliers as well as elaborate staircases leading up towards where spectators sit during performances. These details come together perfectly during concerts here; everything seems right at home within these walls because they've seen so much over time!

The Last Supper

The Last Supper, housed in the Church of Santa Maria Delle Grazie, is the most famous work of Leonardo da Vinci. It depicts Jesus and his twelve disciples at their final meal together before Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem.

The painting took four years to complete and is one of the best examples of Italian Renaissance art. The church itself was built by Francesco di Giorgio Martini between 1472 and 1473, which makes it a relatively new attraction compared with other sites on this list.

The Last Supper is located in Milan city center near the Duomo cathedral; take bus no 2 or 10 from Stazione Centrale (Milan Central Station) or bus no 32 from Piazza Cordusio metro station to get there

Castello Sforzesco

Castello Sforzesco is a huge castle that was built by Francesco Sforza, who was the Duke of Milan from 1450 to 1466. The castle served as the seat of power for the Sforza family and has been used as a museum since 1807.

There are many museums in Castello Sforzesco, including an arms collection, a weapons museum, and an archaeological museum. Many of these museums contain pieces that were found on or around Lake Como.

If you're interested in visiting Castello Sforzesco during your trip to Milan Italy then I recommend going there in the early morning before most tourists arrive so you can avoid long lines at different attractions inside this castle complex like museums (especially if they're free).

Leonardo da Vinci's Horse Monument

You don't have to be an art expert to appreciate the beauty of Leonardo da Vinci's Horse Monument in Milan, Italy. The monument is located in Piazza Dei Cavalieri di Vittorio Veneto, which is also known as the "Square of the Knights of Vittorio Veneto." The monument was built in honor of Leonardo da Vinci and his design for a horse made out of bronze. It weighs over 6 tons and stands 14 feet tall.

It took just under a year to complete this memorial when it was first erected in 1928. Enrico Butti created this sculpture after being commissioned by Count Girolamo Marchetti Parodi with creating an equestrian statue that honored both his and his wife's love for horses.

Parco Sempione

Parco Sempione is a large and popular park in Milan, Italy. It is one of the largest green areas to be found in the city, covering over 100 hectares. This makes it one of the most important parks in Milan, as well as one of the most popular places for locals and tourists alike to enjoy some outdoor time after work or on weekends.

The park itself was originally established by Napoleon Bonaparte when he occupied Italy in 1796, but it was only opened to the public after his defeat at Waterloo when Milan became part of the Kingdom of Sardinia (now known as Italy). It contains various monuments including those dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci and Carlo Porta who both lived there during their lifetime.

In addition to its historical significance, Parco Sempione also has many other features worth visiting such as an outdoor theatre where concerts take place throughout summer months; soccer fields where teams practice regularly; tennis courts where competitions are held on weekends; cafes where you can eat lunch while enjoying views over Milano Cathedral building; paths through woodlands providing shade from sunburns come summertime too!

Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore

There are many things to do in Milan, Italy but one of the most famous temples is Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, which houses the tomb of Leonardo da Vinci. The church is located in the district of Milan and was built in the 16th century. It's a major tourist attraction for visitors from all over the world, who come to admire its beauty and pay their respects at Leonardo's tomb.

Parco della Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio e Le Colonne di San Lorenzo

Located just a few blocks from the Duomo and one of the city's most famous landmarks, this park is named after Sant'Ambrogio Basilica. The park has a fountain, playground, and benches.

The park also features a statue of St Ambrose who was Milan's first bishop and an important figure in Christianity's early history.

It is popular with locals as well as tourists due to its central location in Milan city center.

Museo del Novecento

Museo del Novecento is a museum in Milan, Italy. It is located in the Palazzo dell'Arengario, which was built in the 17th century for the Archbishops of Milan. The building has been used as a theater and now hosts an art gallery that displays works from many European countries.

The collection includes paintings by artists such as Giorgio Morandi, Giorgio De Chirico, and Alberto Burri. You can also see sculptures by Marino Marini along with his bronze model for "The Milkmaid" which he later cast in stone at the Venice Biennale in 1954 before it became part of New York's Museum of Modern Art collection (MOMA).

Conclusion

Milan is a city that should be on every traveler's list. It has so much to offer and it doesn't matter if you are traveling solo or with the family - this city will make you fall in love!