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Financially the most important city in Italy and the second
largest city in the country, Milan represents the New Italy while
still preserving a lot of its past. Although largely destroyed in
the Second World War, Milan has an extensive history and is now a
highly modernized city. A Mecca for shopping, nightlife, and
cultural activities, Milan presents a great place for a family
holiday or a cultural tour. It also has a wealth of historical
sites, including one of the grandest Gothic cathedrals in the entire
world; the Duomo.
At a first glance, Milan gives the impression of being a bustling
metropolis with a stylish appearance and a thriving fashionable
atmosphere. With plenty of fine churches and grand palaces, there is
certainly plenty to see. However, unlike many major European cities,
exploring the sites of the city does take some effort. Requiring a
considerable amount of exploring, you will soon find that Milan has
more than its fair share of hidden gems. The treasures of the city
are best discovered by a certain degree of time, and you will no
doubt find it highly rewarding if you have the patience and sense of
adventure.
Getting to Milan is quite easy, as its location in Northern Italy
makes it well connected to many other cities both in Italy and
abroad. There are also cheap flights from various European
destinations, as well as plenty of international trains and buses
arriving and departing from the city’s central stations. Getting
around the city is also quite easy, as it has a highly developed
metro system which is also very affordable.
Milan offers a wide variety of impressive museums, especially those
boasting extensive collections of renaissance and baroque art.
Contrary to popular belief, Milan is actually home to the oldest
churches in Italy, even older than those in Rome. This is because it
was the capital of the northern part of the country during a later
period of the Roman Empire. The Duomo, in the square of the same
name is not to be missed. One of the world’s most spectacular
cathedrals, with hundreds of spires and thousands of statues, it is
indeed a breathtaking sight. You may also be interested in climbing
to the top of the cathedral to get some splendid views of the entire
city.
Milan has no shortage of historic monuments as well; one of the most
impressive being The Castello Sforzesco, formerly the residence of
the Austrian governor when the area was part of the Habsburg Empire.
It is also home to various museums. Dating from 1778, La Scala
Theatre is also worth a visit.
For those who enjoy shopping, Milan has some are the best shopping
opportunities in Italy, easily able to compete with those of Rome.
The mother of all shopping malls, the up market shopping centre of
the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele is right in the centre of the city
and certain to keep you occupied for a day. It is not far from the
gothic cathedral, the grandest square in the entire city. |
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