Unlike what you might think, we kids can be interested in culture and Milan is very rich in this field. Here we offer a short itinerary for students like us who would like to come and visit! The “Duomo” is a one of the most important landmark in Milan. It is one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in Europe, whose construction lasted five centuries and has not yet ended. The legend, macabre and sweet at the same time, tells of a lady on her honeymoon, who frightened by the monstrous statues and gargoyles placed on the roof and distressed by her illegitimate pregnancy, decided to commit suicide, disappearing among the spiers of the Duomo.
Her body was never found and it is said that even today she can be seen in the wedding photographs, behind the bride and groom, dressed in black. There is no fear, however, she just wants to wish a good marriage.
Passing through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, a covered shopping arcade built at a time when Milan was much more humid and rainy, you can’t miss a tour of the lucky bull’s mosaic, and after admiring the windows of the city’s parlor, you will come out in Piazza della Scala, where the most famous opera house in the world is located. Also in the area you can visit San Bernardino alle Ossa, a decidedly disturbing church, in Baroque style and decorated internally with human bones.
Another essential stop is Santa Maria delle Grazie, in the square of the same name, by the architect Bramante; in the refectory there is the famous Cenacolo by Leonardo Da Vinci (in case you are interested in seeing it, I suggest you book well in advance).
The tour continues in Piazza Affari with the Mezzanotte building – Milan Stock Exchange – a symbol of the Italian economy, which however hides the remains of the Mediolanum theater capital of the Roman Empire in the 3rd century. At the center of the square is a rather “curious” sculpture – named L.O.V.E. – which represents a hand with all the fingers severed, except the middle finger!
The Sforza Castle, an ancient residence of the Sforzas, lords of Milan after the Viscontis, dating back to the 1400s, is obviously very important in Milan. Today it is home to important museums and icon of Milan.
The famous Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio is located in the square of the same name, to its left is the Devil’s column. This has two holes that according to legend were produced by the horns of the Devil, during a fight between the latter and Saint Ambrose.
Even for museum lovers the “buffet” is vast, among the main museums there are the Pinacoteca di Brera (with works ranging from the 13th to the 19th century e.g. Mantegna, Giambellino, Caravaggio) and I suggest you also to pop round the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana where Raffaello’s cartoon for the Athens School frescoed in the Vatican Museums is exhibited. For lovers of twentieth century art alongside the Palazzo Reale is the Museum of the ‘900 with works e.g. by Burri, Fontana and Pistoletto.
We can really say that Milan is a fascinating city and the possibilities for cultural visits are certainly not lacking!
D.Gonzalez, A.Susani, L.Margoni, L.Uderzo
Italy meets Albania 