oh, Milan
For years, Rome and Venice were the
darlings of Italian tourism, laying claim
to the country’s culture, charm and
sense of la dolce vita. Milan was just an
industrial city somewhere up north.
But the times they are a changin’, and
over the past decade the capital of the
Lombardy region has stepped firmly into
the limelight, with fashion, technology,
cuisine and cutting-edge design drawing
tourists to this dynamic capital of cool.
Here are the top 10 sights for soaking
up both the city’s layered history and
newfound energy.
24 // MAKE MEMORIES FOR LIFE
MILAN CATHEDRAL
Start at the bustling Piazza del Duomo
in the heart of Milan, with a visit to the
breathtaking Duomo. Construction on
this ornate Italian Gothic-style cathedral
began in 1386 and today it’s the largest
church in Italy, capable of holding 40 000
worshippers. What about St. Peter’s, I
hear you ask? True, St. Peter’s Cathedral
is bigger, but technically that’s in Vatican
City, not Italy.
Entrance to the Duomo starts at €3, but
it’s worth paying for access (lift or stairs,
€7–€13) to the roof terraces, where you
can enjoy a close-up view of some of the
3 400 statues and 135 gargoyles that adorn
the cathedral. Roof access also allows
Milan
is having a
moment, and
it’s easy to soak
up the best of
the city. Richard
Holmes shows
us how…
!
you to skip the long queues at the main
entrance and soak up great city views.
THE LAST SUPPER
This classic work by Leonardo da Vinci
is one of the cultural highlights of the
city and well worth a visit if time allows.
Completed between 1495 and 1498, it
graces the refectory walls of the convent
of Santa Maria delle Grazie, a 20-minute
walk from the Duomo. Tickets are best
booked online and can sell out quickly.
Due to the sensitivity of the frescoes, only
30 people are allowed into the room at a
time for just 15 minutes. It’s pricey, at €10
per person, but certainly an artwork for
the bucket list.