A 2-Day Itinerary in Milan, Italy's Fashion Capital

#ItalianTravel #Milan Milan is a city in northern Italy. Transportation to Milan: 1. Fly to Milan Malpensa Airport and take the airport train to the city center. 2. Take the express train from Venice or Florence to Milano Centrale Station. Transportation in Milan: Metro [Single Ticket (2.2 EUR) / 3-Day Pass (15.6 EUR)] / Light Rail Hotel Recommendation: iQ Hotel Milano 4-star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Near Milan Central Station) 🗓️Itinerary: DAY 1 Lunch: Panzerotti Luini, a street food near Milan Cathedral, and Cioccolati Italiani ice cream. Attractions: 1. Duomo de Milan Duomo means "house of God," so the main deity of a Duomo is usually the Virgin Mary. Almost every city in Italy has its own Duomo, usually located in the city center. Construction of Milan Cathedral began in 1386 and took over five centuries to complete. Its architectural styles encompass Gothic, Neoclassical, and Neo-Gothic. The entire cathedral is constructed of marble, but because marble discolors over time, the Milanese government spends 9 million euros annually on cleaning the cathedral. You'll likely see some sections covered during your visit. 2. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: Designed in 1865 by architect Giuseppe Mengoni, this magnificent arcade is a masterpiece of architecture. It is a landmark for tourists visiting the fashionable city of Milan and enjoying its luxury shopping. Dinner: Starbucks Reserve Roastery Milano (Europe's most beautiful Starbucks) DAY 2 Breakfast: Hotel breakfast Attractions: 1. Santa Maria delle Grazie (The Last Supper) Founded in 1463, the church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, consists of a church and monastery. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980, it is renowned for housing Leonardo da Vinci's painting, "The Last Supper." This family, which rose to prominence in Milan during the Renaissance, was comparable in importance to the Medici family in Florence. During their reign, they built magnificent palaces and castles, bringing the city its most precious frescoes and architecture. At the end of the 15th century, the new Duke, Ludovico il Moro, decided after his wedding that he wanted to erect a monument in Milan to showcase his family's wealth and power. He chose to rebuild the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, expand the monastery, and build his family mausoleum within it. He also invited two of the most important figures of the Renaissance to undertake the reconstruction work: Leonardo da Vinci and the master architect Donato Bramante. Da Vinci created the world-famous fresco "The Last Supper" for the monastery's refectory, while Bramante oversaw the reconstruction of the sanctuary, leaving behind significant architectural legacy for Milan. Placing the iconic biblical scene in the monastery's refectory was a remarkable feat, allowing the monks to experience the scene as they ate. Da Vinci also skillfully employed lighting and perspective to bring the scene to life. The refectory is a rectangular interior space, and the lighting in the fresco is coordinated with the actual lighting in the surroundings. The perspective of the painting mirrors that of the building itself, visually extending the space. These details demonstrate the designer's meticulous attention to detail. During World War II, the church was bombed, though Leonardo da Vinci's important painting fortunately escaped destruction. However, because he experimented with pigments he invented, the technique didn't preserve the colors well, causing them to fade over the years. The church underwent multiple restorations, employing advanced technology and significant expense to preserve the frescoes. The site is meticulously maintained, with strict controls on lighting, temperature, and humidity. Visitors are also subject to limited access and time limits, with small groups allowed only for 15 minutes at a time. 2. Stadio San Siro Home of the internationally renowned Serie A teams AC Milan and Inter Milan Lunch: Marchesi 1824 (Inside Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II) Shopping: Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II Dinner: Osteria Fara (Milanese ossobuco risotto)