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MILANO Tourist Guide and Informations
In this page:
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Milan
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| HISTORICAL INFORMATIONS |
The ancient Mediolanum, as it has been called by the Romans since the third century B.C. (a name of Celtic origin meaning "in the middle of the plains"), rose up around 400 B.C., the work of the Insubri Galles.
The Romans, led by Gneo Scipio, conquered it in 222 B.C. From the fourth to the fifth century it was the capital of the Western Roman Empire, and thanks especially to Saint Ambrose, it became one of the most active centers of the new Christian world.
Around the year 1000 it was already the most heavily populated city of Italy and became the most active center of the Padana Plain because of its manufacturing of wool, silk, metals and armaments.
The period between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries coincides with the consolidation of the free Commune, subsequently defeated by Frederick Barbarossa, who wanted to re-establish imperial dominion.
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CENTRE OF FASHION AND BUSINESS WITH A GOTHIC HEART |
From the fourteenth to the sixteenth centuries the city came under the Signoria of the Visconti and then of the Sforza, to finally become capital of the Dukedom of Milan. At the end of the fifteenth century Louis XII, king of France, took over the Dukedom. The French in 1535 gave way to the Spanish, who governed until the beginning of the eighteenth century. In 1707 Austrian control began. With the exception of the Napoleonic interlude, the Austrians ruled until the celebrated "Five Days of Milan" (1848), a revolutionary independence movement that chased them out permanently.
During the Second World War Milan was one of the cities most heavily hit by aerial bombardment. Damages to historical monuments were especially serious; some were partially destroyed forever, but most were later restored.
Since 1946 the recovery of industrial, economic and commercial activity has occurred rapidly, so that once more Milan has become the center of Italy's productive and economic life.
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Art and culture
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From the Roman period, only the Basilica of San Lorenzo and sixteen Corinthian columns from a third-century building remain. Inscriptions, sculptures, architectural fragments and mosaics are conserved in the Archaeological Museum. The Middle Ages was a period marked by fervent construction, which shows Milan's important role at the time, along with Rome, Ravenna and Naples. Evidence of that period is seen in the basilicas of Sant' Ambrogio and Sant' Eustorgio and the palace of La Ragione. The paintings of this period are mostly documented in miniatures such as the codicils in Sant' Ambrogio and in the Ambrosian Library.
During the Renaissance, due mostly to the influence of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Francesco Sforza and Ludovico the Moor, the major monuments of the city were built: the Duomo, the Maggiore Hospital, the Sforza Castle, Santa Maria delle Grazie and San Satiro. Bramante and Leonardo were only two of the great artists at work at the time. |
In the Baroque period the two most important masters were Fabio Mangone (the Ambrosian Palace and the Senate) and Francesco Maria Richini (San Giuseppe Church, many palaces, the courtyard of the Brera Palace).
The most important paintings were the frescoes of Tiepolo in the Clerici and Archinti palaces and the canvasses of A. Magnasco. During the Neoclassical period, the architecture gave the city its characteristic outline: in this period the Villa Reale of Monza, La Scala Theater and the Belgioioso Palace, all by Giuseppe Piermarini, were built, as well as the Peace Arch by L. Cagnola and the Arena by L. Canonica. In the present period, we are witnessing a complete renovation of the architectural image of the city.
Rapid industrial development and increasing demands of traffic have brought about a radical transformation in urban construction. |
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How to arrive in Milan
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| By plane |
By train |
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Linate and Malpensa airports are the two that manage the intense international and domestic traffic converging on the Ambrosian city.
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A hub for Europe's major railway lines, Milan offers train travelers direct connections with the rest of Italy and with Europe's most important cities: from the central station in Piazza Duca d'Aosta, Intercity and Eurostar trains leave daily.
Other smaller stations are: Porta Garibaldi, Milan North, Porta Genova and Porta Vittoria. |
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How to get around in Milan
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| Public Transport |
By Taxi |
It is convenient and comfortable to use public transportation in Milan.
Trams, buses, trolleys and three subway lines bring together even the remotest parts of the city.
Prices for underground and aboveground transportation are the same.
Tickets are sold at newstands, bars, tobacco shops and automatic vending stations. Tickets cannot be obtained on board.
The public transport system operates from 6:00 in the morning until midnight, but during the night there is a bus line which substitutes for the number 1 subway line .
Tourist passes exist at a price of 6000 lire for 24 hours and 9000 lire for 48 hours.
These types of tickets are sold at the newstands inside the subway stations. |
Milan's taxis are white.
They park in special areas with telephones (the numbers are found in the phone book under the word "taxi").
When one enters a taxi, the fixed tariff of 6000 lire clicks on; during holidays, at night and with baggage, one pays a supplement.
Taxis can also be called by dialing the numbers 6767 - 8585 - 8388 - 5251 for the radiotaxi operators. |
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Shops and Markets
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Opening Hours
Large stores and many downtown shops are open continuously. Others observe the following hours: 9:30 to 13:00 and 15:30 to 19:30. They are closed Monday mornings and Sundays. Sales take place twice a year: winters, from the 7th of January; summers, from the 10th of July.
Groceries shops are closed Monday afternoons and Sundays. Included among the addresses we would like to offer you as a help for your shopping are the open markets.
Markets
Included among the addresses we would like to offer you as a help for your shopping are the open markets.
Following are the largest and most interesting for each day of the week:
Mondays: via Zamagna, via Kramer, piazza Mirabello;
Tuesdays: viale Papiniano and via B.Marcello;
Wednesdays: via Aicardo, piazzale Martini and via Zuretti;
Thursdays: via Osoppo, via Ampère, piazza Mirabello, via P. Calvi;
Fridays: via Crema, via M. Aurelio, l.go V Alpini;
Saturdays: viale Papiniano, via B. Marcello, piazzale Lagosta, via Fauchè.
Among the smaller markets, the most famous of Milan is the Flea Market, called "Fair of Senigallia" in viale G. D'Annunzio. Open Saturdays from 8:30 to 17:00.
The following are the main clothing stores that sell famous name brands:
Armani, via Durini 24, via Sant' Andrea 9;
Basile, via Monteleone 27;
Chanel, via S. Andrea 10/A;
Dolce & Gabbana, via della Spiga 2;
Enrico Coveri, corso Matteotti 12;
Fendi, via Sant' Andrea 16;
Fiorucci Store, galleria Passerella 1;
Gianfranco Ferrè, via della Spiga 11;
Gucci, via Monleone 5;
Kenzo, via Sant' Andrea 11;
Krizia, via della Spiga 23;
Laura Ashley, via Brera 4;
Laura Biagiotti, via Borgospesso 19;
Les Copains, via Montenapoleone 2;
Max Mara, corso Emanuele;
Mila Schon, via Montenapoleone 2;
Missoni, via Sant' Andrea 9, piazza Duomo 21;
Moschino, via Sant' Andrea 12;
Pierre Cardin, via Verri 6;
Romeo Gigli, corso Venezia 11;
Ungaro, via Montenapoleone 27;
Valentino, via Santo Spirito 3;
Versace, via Montenapoleone 11;
Yves Saint Laurent, via Verri 8.
The best shoe stores of Milan are the following:
Bally, via Montenapoleone 8;
Diego Della Valle, via della Spiga 22;
Salvatore Ferragamo , v. Montenapoleone ang. v. Borgospesso;
Fratelli Rossetti, via Montenapoleone 1;
La Vetrina di Baryl, via Statuto 4;
Magli, corso V. Emanuele ang. v. S. Paolo;
Marilena, via Tornio 13; Pollini, corso V. Emanuele II 30;
Sergio Rossi, via della Spiga 15;
Teras, via Torino ang. v. Lupetta;
Timberland Store, corso Venezia 9;
Vergelio, corso Vittorio Emanuele 10;
Vierre, via Montenapoleone 27.
The most exclusive jewelry shops of the city are the following:
Agalma, via S. Tommaso 8;
Bernasconi, galleria V. Emanuele II, 33/35;
Buccellati, via Montenapoleone 4;
Bulgari, via della Spiga 6;
Cartier, via Montenapoleone 16;
Cusi, via Montenapoleone 21/A;
Faraone Tiffany, via Montenapoleone 7/A;
Pomellato, via San Pietro all' Orto;
Romani Adami, via Bagutta 3;
Scav, via della Spiga 9;
Schreiber, via Manzoni 40.
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Food
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Talking about this style of cooking, we expect the usual diatribe about the origin of saffron rice (risotto) or about who invented cutlets alla Milanese, but these are issues discussed a thousand times and already worn out. Of the cutlet, the most interesting thing to say is that it isn't breaded but rather fried with patience at its natural thickness; of risotto, that wine is not necessary because the acidity of the latter conflicts with the natural but delicate aroma of the saffron.
The wine goes well in other risottos, such as in the white rice of Piedmont origin. Though this rice is unrelated to Parma, parmesan cheese is used, as in preparing the bell eggplant known everywhere as eggplant alla parmigiana.
These days, Milan is flooded with fish. It has the largest fish market in Italy, but for all this fishy culture, not a trace is seen in Milanese cuisine. On the other hand, one finds excellent recipes for fresh-water fish, for example anchovy patè (although the people of Lodi claim it as their own) and pike braised in red wine.
Not so famous but also very good are some Milanese soups like minestrone, naturally. Even better are the soups made from rice and parsley with liver, from rice and leeks, or frogs.
The base for each of these is an excellent broth: try it with sbrofadei, a kind of Emiliana passatelli. Ordinary everyday broths, on the other hand, are made from capon, for the "non-Milanese" ravioli or tortellini. The busecca, now considered a second dish although originally it was a soup, is a symphony of three types of tripe (chiappa, foiolo and riccia or francese). One makes one's way through the meats, which are fundamentally veal (of which we have already spoken) and beef. Speaking of veal, we must not overlook oven-baked tongue and the sublime roast kidneys. Pastries are few but interesting, aside from the universal panettone (a kind of sweet brioche). Borrowings from Austria are interesting: for example, the creams, the cavollatt with its mysterious name, cream of mascarpone (a type of cream cheese), or certain puddings made from cedar, rice, or even aged panettone.
Milanese drinks are very original. The barbarjada (chocolate and coffee) in first place, the rossumada (egg shake, sugar and white or red wine), the sapajean (zabaione, the same but with red wine and lemon juice) or the various bavarois (to suit the female taste, made with tea and liquore).
As far as wines are concerned, at present the Milan region has only one zone DOC (name and origin controlled), San Colombano at Lambro, where with an early grape called verdea they make a pleasant white and with a grape similar to that of the Rossi Oltrepo', a red not profound but nevertheless agreeable.
The common wine in Milan now is naturally that of the Oltrepo', either Bonarda, Croatina or Barbera; among whites the Riesling and Pinot are excellent. But in Milan today, for wines as for fish, one finds all the best.
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Nightlife
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Milan at night offers a vast panorama of clubs for every budget, with all types of atmospheres.
The most animated parts of town are the Navigli and Brera, where one can have a good time, meet people, enjoy a beer, and have a snack late into the night.
Following we indicate the principal discotheques of Milan:
Black Ebony
Via Bocconi at the corner of viale Bligny, tel. 58301651
Music of every type, also live.
Free admission from 22:30 to 3:00.
Beau Geste Piazza Velasca 4, tel. 8900692.
Modern decor, a dance floor and a billiard room.
Open from 23:00 to 3:00 from Thursday to Saturday.
Coquetel 26 Via Decebrio 26, tel. 5454009
Discotheque on two levels: dance floor below, bar and restaurant above.
Open from 22:30 to 2:30, closed Sunday.
Cujo Via F. Aporti 39, tel. 2892922
Original and rebellious environment. Sundays, live music.
Open from 23 to 3:00. Closed Monday.
East End Via Sammartini 94, tel. 66981246.
Popular and garage music, clientele medium-upper and habitual.
Factory Via Ricciarelli 11, tel. 48701607.
Post-industrial environment, rock music, hip-hop and live concerts.
Open from 22:30 to 4:00. Closed Monday.
Gimmi's Club Via Cellini 2, tel. 55188069
American disco music style, live concerts.
Open Sunday 22:30 to 3:00. Closed Monday and Wednesday.
HD Via Tajani 11, tel. 7189990
Gay discotheque, various musical styles, especially American.
Closed Wednesday and Thursday.
Hollywood Corso Como 15, tel. 6598996.
Always crowded, hangout for people in fashion, sport, and theatre.
Open from 22:30 to 4:00. Closed Monday.
Ipotesi Piazza XXIV Maggio, tel. 58102766
Latin American rhythms and popular music with piano upstairs.
Open from 21:00 to 3:00. Closed Monday and Wednesday.
Kocoloco Via Corelli 62, tel. 7561226.
Tropical atmosphere, Latin American music, restaurant.
Open from 21:00 to 2:30. Closed Monday.
Le Bataclan Piazza Biancamano 2, tel. 6551532.
Graffiti on the walls, multi-racial public, reggae and world music.
Open from 22:00 to 3:00. Closed Monday.
Nephenta Piazza Diaz 1, tel. 804837.
Elegant and exclusive environment, dance and revival music.
Open from 23:00 to 3:00. Closed Sunday and Monday.
New Mambo Via Ripamonti 572, tel. 57604716.
Dedicated to fans of South American rhythms; salsa and merenga music, tropical bar with typical cuisine.
Open from 21:00 to 2:00. Closed Monday.
New U.B. Via Gatto corner of viale Forlalili, tel. 70107329.
Restructured industrial area, large spaces, five bars.
Open from 22:30 to 3:00, from Thursday to Sunday.
Plastic Viale Umbria 120, tel. 733996.
Place for avant guarde, rebellious.
Open from 23:00 to 4:00. Closed Monday.
Propaganda Via Castelbarca 11, tel. 58310682.
One of the largest discotheques of the city. Live concerts.
Open from 22:00 to 4:00. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Ragno d'Oro Piazza Medaglie d'Oro, tel. 8900692.
Tecno and underground music, fashionable for the young.
Open Friday and Saturday from 22:00 to 3:00.
Rainbow Club Via Besenzanica 3, tel. 4048399.
Frequented by the young, theme evenings and concerts.
Open from Thursday to Saturday, from 22:00 to 3:00.
Sabor Via Molino delle Armi 18, tel. 58313584.
Exclusively Latin-American music, also live.
Open from 22:00 to 3:00. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Shocking Club Via Bastioni di Porta Nuova 12, tel. 6595407.
Avant guarde locale, frequented by models and would-be models.
Open from 22:30 to 3:00. Closed Monday.
Sottomarino Giallo ("Yellow Submarine") Via Donatello 2, tel. 29401047.
Female discotheque.
Open from 22:30 to 3:30. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
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