Some form of human settlement has been present in the region of Milan for thousands of years and archaeological findings date back as far as 222 BC. With an Italian Gothic style, the front façade of the cathedral is truly magnificent and is crowned with countless towers, statues and decoration.The interior is just as decorative and features some beautiful stained glass windows bursting with colour; furthermore in-between the central columns, there is a fantastic display of artwork and some finely detailed statues.This immense structure is truly the heart of Milan and no trip to this city is complete without steeping foot inside its huge doors.Although the exterior of this church is not one of the most renowned, it still has a certain charm and grace – Created in 1497, the church features a Gothic style using red bricks and a large rear basilica.This church can be found on the Corso Magenta and sits at the opposite side of Milan to the Duomo.Inside the building lies one of the greatest artistic masterpieces in the world – The Last Supper by Leonardo di Vinci.Hailed as a sublime piece of artwork, this mural depicts the scene of the Last Supper as described in the Bible.Throughout the years this piece of artwork has been scrutinised and analysed for its hidden meanings and content.Come and see this fantastic work of art and marvel at the detail and significance of this iconic depiction.As you walk into the Grand Gallery, you might think you were stood inside the entrance hall to an opera house or palace – Not a shopping mall.But this is essentially what the Galleria is – An extremely opulent and extravagant indoor shopping area.Created in 1877, it stands as one of the oldest shopping malls in the world and was designed by Guiseppe Mengoni.The cross shaped mall is covered via four glass panelled arms that let in the sunlight perfectly, whilst the walls and shop fronts are decorated with ornate panelling and stucco artwork.High-end designer shops line the mall and you can expect to find such names as Prada, Versace and Luis Vuitton – If you are looking for a bargain, this is definitely not the place!This 15th century castle has a central location in Milan and is set in extensive grounds and gardens.Created in 1370, the original design has been modified and added too greatly but still retains its elegance and status of power.At the front of the castle stands an immense brick wall lined with battlements and frame by a central guard tower.As you walk through into the central courtyard, you will notice the large guard towers and the sheer size of the castle will amaze you.Aside from the castle itself, there is also a host of small museums and collections that contain a myriad of interesting artefacts and historical information about the castle and Milan.Located in the Palazzo Brera, the Pinacoteca is a fine Art Gallery that contains a large collection of Italian art.In earlier years the palace served as a convent and as a national library and was not converted into a museum until the 19th century.Inside the gallery, you can find such works as the Marriage of the Virgin by Raphael, Pieta by Bellini, the Last Supper by Rubens and the Adoration of the Magi by Correggio.Located in close proximity to both the Sforzesco Castle and the Piazza del Duomo, the Pinacoteca di Brera is easily accessible.This ancient building is one of the oldest in Milan and was built in 379 AD by St. Ambrose.With a simple Romanesque design, the style of this church has not changed much since its creation and the city of Milan was built up around it, as it served as a focal point for the local population.Two large towers frame the front façade and a central courtyard is frame via a series of ornate arches.Due to its age, the interior of the church features some beautiful mosaics and artwork including the ceiling of the Oratory and the delightful depiction of Christ on one of the domes.A visit to this church will provide a fine insight into the history of Milan and its religious importance.Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia Leonardo da VinciLeonardo da Vinci was a legendary man of true genius and he was much more than an artist – He was a true visionary, and inventor and a scholar.It stands to reason that a museum named after this man contains many of his works and a huge collection of other important scientific and technological displays.As one of the most important museums in the world, you can expect to find such collections as a myriad of model cars created from da Vinci drawings, reconstructions of his flying machines, and a plethora of his drawings, blueprints and sketches.Aside from works by the man himself, there is also a huge collection of important scientific inventions and pieces of breakthrough technology that changed the world.Once the centre of Milan during the Middle Ages, the Piazza dei Mercanti was a true hub of activity and held many merchant activities and trade markets.Located in-between the Piazza dei Duomo and the Piazza Corduiso, this square is within walking distance of the main sights in Milan.Several important buildings stand in the square including the Pallaza della Ragione, the Pallaza delle Scuole Palatine and the Loggia degli Osii.Furthermore several important statues and monuments can be found here, some of which have Roman origins.Visit this square to admire its fine architecture and to see this ancient part of Milan.Dedicated to the history of ancient Milan, this museum is truly insightful and gives you a glimpse of a time long past.Located in the Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, the first part of the museum details the history of ancient Mediolanum, whilst the second part located in the basement has a selection of artwork and sculptures.Included in the extensive collection are various archaeological remains, theatrical masks, pottery, and armour.This interesting museum covers many ages of Milan including the Middle Ages, influences from the Etruscan civilization and also the ancient Greeks.As the central Piazza in Milan, the Piazza del Duomo is an immense open public space that features some impressive architecture and sculptures.If you are visiting Milan, this should be your starting point – From here you can view the wonderful Duomo and surrounding buildings.In the centre of the square stands a glorious statue of the first King of united Italy – Vittorio Emmanuel, whilst on one side sits the impressive Royal palace.Furthermore, there is a host of high-end shops, restaurants and bars to frequent – Shop to your hearts content or enjoy a coffee whilst watching the flocks of tourists and locals go about their daily business.There are few buildings in the world that have hosted as many great artists as the Scala Opera.Located to the north of the Duomo and the east of Castello Sforzesco this opera house is one of the finest in the world and is renowned for its acoustic qualities and opulence.Inside the main auditorium the decoration and grandeur of the seating and stage is fantastic – 6 tiers of seating and individual boxes frame the stage in a semi-circle and the whole place is full of red velvet drapes and gold furnishings.Guided tours are available of the Opera House, but also consider purchasing tickets to see a show – An exciting and memorable evening is promised!Possibly one of the most renowned and well known stadiums in the world, the San Siro has stood since 1926 as one of the premier sporting venues in Italy.With a capacity of just over 80,000, it is one of the largest stadiums in Europe and was one of the key stadiums during World Cup 34 and World Cup 90.
We have reviews of the best places to see in Milan. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. There's a lot to see here, beginning with the large portico, also from the ninth century, and the atrium, whose carved stone capitals and portal rank it high among Europe's best examples of the Romanesque period. Some form of human settlement has been present in the region of Milan for thousands of years and archaeological findings date back as far as 222 BC.
It is elaborately ornamented, with 135 pinnacles and more than 200 marble statues. For all its workaholic reputation as the money and business center of Italy, it's a city with an influential past and a rich cultural heritage.