Milan (Milano)
MILAN, which is the driving wheel of the Italian "economic miracle."” it is not like any other city in Italy. Hazy in winter, muggy in summer, it is considered the European equivalent of New York, closer in character (if not geographically) London than Palermo. It is not a city of decaying palaces, cobbled squares and la dolce vita, but the city, where time is money, life flows fast, and consumption and work discipline rule the lives of the inhabitants who like elegance. For the above reasons, most tourists bypass Milan and, especially in August, when the city is extremely stuffy and tiring, goes straight to the sea. But at any other time, it's worth spending some time in Milan. It is undoubtedly a historic city, with so many churches and museums, which would be enough for a week of sightseeing. It is enough to mention Accademia Brera, the cathedral and the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. On the other hand, the contemporary character of the city is determined by the latest trends in fashion and design. It is worth spending your free time watching modern shop displays and visiting private art galleries. It is also worth trying the best, the most diverse in the country, concentrated in the neglected neighborhood of Navigli, nightlife. As if against the architectural ugliness that prevails here, the visual aspect of life in Milan is taken very seriously. Fashion and design are passionate about this city, the importance of which goes beyond strictly economic facts (these are industries with revenues reaching billions of lire), as already a short metro ride or a short walk through the streets of the center proves it. The local youth want to prove their elite affiliation, dresses in a rather demonstrative way.
Historical view
Milan entered the arena of history for the first time in the 4th century with the Milan Edict of Emperor Constantine, which guaranteed Christians freedom of religion throughout the Roman Empire. Under the leadership of the charismatic Bishop of Ambrogio (later St.. Ambrose) the city quickly became one of the most important centers of Christianity. Churches today are mostly on the site of 4th century temples, and sometimes even preserved fragments of them.
Medieval Milan rose in importance under the rule of the ruthless Visconti family, who founded a late gothic cathedral, to this day, the beauty of its architecture surpasses all other buildings in the city. They also built a strongly fortified nucleus of Castello, which for their successors, Sforza, was expanded to become one of the most luxurious Renaissance mansions in Europe. It was a period of large investments. The last of the Sforzas was particularly active, Lodovico, by employing the architect Bramante, who was to beautify the churches in the city, and Leonardo da Vinci. The latter was commissioned by the ruler to paint The Last Supper and design war machines, to be used in wars with foreign powers and other Italian states. Leonardo's machines did not manage to prevent the capture of Milan by the French in a year 1499, which ushered in nearly four centuries of foreign domination. Later, the Austrian Habsburgs took control of the city, who commissioned the construction of the Teatro della Scala and the establishment of the Brcra gallery. The latter, during Napoleon's short reign in the city, filled with paintings stolen from Italian churches and private collections.
Mussolini also left his mark here. A tourist coming to Milan by train is immediately overwhelmed by the sight of the massive white body of the central station, which was built just by order of the dictator. The main tourist office is located in one of two parts of the pretentious Arengario, from which Mussolini gave speeches to the crowds gathered in the Piazza Duomo. The irony of history was this, that the body of the deceased tyrant was exposed to the sight of the now angry crowd in Milan as well, at the Piazzale Loreto intersection, which is busy today.
Arrival
Milan has two airports, both adapted to domestic flights, as well as international. Linate is closer to the city (7 kilometers from the center), to which buses run from Stazione Centrale every 20 minutes from 5.40 do 20.40 (drive 30 Min.; 2000L). Second airport, Malpensa, is located 50 kilometers from the city towards Lago Maggiore; it takes much longer to travel there, and connections are less frequent (buses leave on 2,5 Hours. before each international departure. Airline tickets are sold by the Stazione Centrale Agenzia Doria on the lower level (7.00-23.00). There are also city buses running from Linate to Piazza San Babila until midnight (the line #73), which have a connection to the MMI metro line. Tickets (currently at the price of 800L) must be purchased before boarding the bus at the airport kiosk or, if you have change of coins, at the ticket machine at the bus stop.
Almost all international trains arrive in the northeast of the city center, in Piazza Duca d’Aosta, Central Station (•67500; access MM2). Other stations, Garibaldi, Lambrate the North, are on the MM2 line serving various destinations in the Milan region, Bergamo, Pavia and Como and other lakes in the western part of the region, though trains from there often stop at the Stazione Centrale as well.
International and long-distance buses depart from Piazza Castello in front of Castello Sforzesco. Information is provided and tickets are sold at the Autostradale office on the square or at the Zani Viaggi office on the corner of Piazza Castello and Foro Buonaparte (• 867131).
Motorists should know, that the city is surrounded by a multi-lane, Tangenzianale toll road, from which you can take the motorway exit to Venice, Turin and the lakes area, and on the Autostrada del Sole to Bologna, Florence, Rome and the south. In the city itself, it is better not to use the car, because the streets are so congested, that it is almost impossible to find a parking space (See. password Car parks in the "Informator”). Trying to park in forbidden places is not profitable, because in the event of being caught by the police, there is a risk of a fine and the necessity to pick up the car from the police parking lot.