Top 5 things to do in Milan on a leisure day!
Milano:
Located in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, Milan is an alpha global city. It has a rich heritage of art, architecture, fashion (Milan Fashion Week is famous with the fashion enthusiasts), finance, tourism and more. Among all other European cities, it has the third largest economy (after Paris and London).
Transport:
Milan is home to the international airport - Malpensa Airport and the domestic, Linate Airport.
The city well-connected by metros, trains, trams and buses.
Spending A Day in Milan:
If you love art, architecture, history or fashion - Milan is the place to be. A shoppers' paradise, Milan has several beautiful palaces and cathedrals.
Here are a few top places to visit in Milan:
1. Duomo:
The Milan Cathedral or the Duomo is the fourth largest cathedral in the world and the largest in Italy. Dedicated to the Nativity of St Mary, it is the seat of the Archbishop of Milan. It took almost 600 years to complete the construction of the Duomo.
There are intricate artwork on the exterior door of the church and several carvings on the walls that draws admiration. Inside the cathedral, there are famous works by artists like Pellegrino Pellegrini (the magnificent altar), Marco d'Agrate, Leone Leoni and others. One of the nails from the Crucifixion is contained in the church. It is displayed to the public during the Rite of the Nivola celebration.
The Roof
There is a statue of the Madonnina, gilded with sheets of pure gold, at the roof. Designed by Francesco Croce, it is the highest point of Milan and represents the Heart and Soul of the city.
Opens from 9:00 AM - 17:30 PM Entry Fee: EUR 3
Rooftop: EUR 12 (By Lift) & EUR 7 (By Stairs)
2. Santa Maria delle Grazie:
The church, constructed by Francesco Sforza, contains the murals of The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Santa Maria delle Grazie (Source: Wikipedia)
The Last Supper
The classic piece of art is present in the refectory. Painted on the plaster of the wall, it has undergone several restoration works. The room is sealed from moisture. This is to preserve the painting and the color from external factors. Each group gets only 15 minutes to admire the beauty of the painting. Inside the room, you can take photographs.
The Last Supper (Source: Wikipedia)
Book your tickets in advance as the slots get filled quickly. You can book your tickets from https://cenacolovinciano.vivaticket.it/
Opening Hours: 8:45 AM - 18:45 PM (Tuesdays - Sundays, Closed on Sundays) Entry Fee: EUR 10 (Additional EUR 2 as Booking Fee) Additional EUR 3.50 for Guided Tours
3. Sforza Castle:
Duke Francesco Sforza built the castle. It houses several museums.
Entry Fee: EUR 10
Castello Sforzesco (Or Sforza Castle) (Source: Wikipedia)
4. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II:
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is the oldest shopping mall in Italy. It is named after Victor Emanuel, Italy's First King. It is a four-storied double arcade galleria where the arcades meet in an octagon in the middle. The arcade and the octagonal centre has glass roofs. The brilliant mosaic floor of the mall contains 4 coats of arms in the middle octagonal space. The coats of arms are of the 4 main cities in Italy - Rome, Milan, Florence and Turin.
Brands:
The galleria contains several Haute Couture labels like Prada, Versace, Giorgio Armani, Massimo Dutti, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Tiffany's and many others.
You can spend an entire day just at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II! Don't miss the Cioccolati Italiani, behind the galleria, for a scoopful of gelato.
5. San Siro:
For a football fan, a visit to San Siro stadium is a must. It is the home ground of AC Milan FC . San Siro hosts several concerts as well. In past few years artists like Beyonce, Rihanna, Coldplay and Ed Sheeran have performed at the stadium.
Entry Fee: EUR 7 (Stadium only), EUR 17 (for a guided tour)
San Siro Stadium (Source: Wikipedia)
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