In Defense Of Milan

Milan, Italy, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, seems to not have the best reputation among travelers. Milan is often seen as a simple transfer hub for anyone traveling by train or flying. In my opinion, it is so much more than just that.

I lived in Milan as an expat for over a year, so I can say that there is so much more to this city than just being your connection between points A and B.

It is true that Milan is not your typical Italian city full of majestic ancient Roman ruins and renaissance architecture. For that you have Rome, Florence, and Bologna, among others. Still, you can find a few smaller ancient ruins in Milan, but honestly, that’s not Milan’s highlight. In fact, Milan is a completely different type of city not found anywhere else in Italy.

Just to put some context of why Milan is so different, I will give a brief historical background. Milan was founded by the Insubres (Celtics) and was later conquered by the Romans, becoming the capital of the Western Roman Empire. During the middle ages, Milan developed as a commercial and banking center, and in the 1900s it led the industrialization process of the young Kingdom of Italy. During World War II it was occupied by the Nazis, which prompted the severe bombing by the allies, devastating the city almost entirely. Since World War II, the city has reinvented itself as the economic and business center of Italy, and to some extent, Europe itself.

Milan does have its old city, which was once walled like most ancient and medieval Italian cities, and you can still see several architectural masterpieces like the Duomo –the fifth largest cathedral in the world and the largest in Italian territory– and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. These buildings speak of a history that is very Milanese, since it is intertwined with the local royalty and politics of their time. 

The Duomo, which is probably the most important building in Milan, was built over several hundred years (from 1386 to 1965) in a number of contrasting architectural styles. But in general, the cathedral is designed majorly in an elaborate Gothic style. It speaks of the changing times in the city through its façade and interior design, which you might think almost doesn’t match. It is very interesting to see all its details, and if you have the chance, go up to the roof to see the view of Milan and the Alps in the distance.

On the other hand, but right next to Duomo, you have Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It was built by Giuseppe Mengoni between 1865 and 1877 and named after the first king of the Kingdom of Italy. And in case you didn’t know, it is one of the oldest shopping malls in the world. Seriously!

But, this is not too surprising since this is part of Milan’s character that still stands to this day. Milan is a major world fashion and design capital. Period. Art flows here in a different way. Modern fabrics mix with renaissance paintings; haute couture blends with modern architecture, and sculptures bring some stillness to what has become a fast paced city.

The city is well known for several museums, including the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, which has a great collection of Leonardo DaVinci’s paintings and manuscripts as well as paintings and sculptures from major Italian artists like Botticelli, Bramantino, Caravaggio, and Raffaello, among others.

In addition, Milan is home to one of the most important paintings of all time: Cenacolo Vinciano, commonly known as The Last Supper by Leonardo DaVinci. Leonardo lived in Milan for 17 years, and during that time he created this masterpiece. You can see it up close and marvel at the details and expressions of his painting; an experience you must have when in Milan. 

Finally, I’d like to touch two important aspects of Milanese city life. Again, Milan is all about fashion. People like to look good and go out in style. If you want to see this in full scale, head to Quadrilatero della Moda, which is where all the flagship stores of mayor fashion brands are located (think Versace, Dolce and Gabbana, Dior, and more). Everything from haute couture to expensive fashion trends can be found here.

The second aspect is the apperitivo nightlife. People love to socialize after work over drinks and a buffet (apperitivo). While you can find apperitivo anywhere in the city, the main place to do this is in the Naviglio zone, where a conglomerate of cafes and trattoria provide the best environment to chill out and socialize.

This is just a scratch on the surface of what Milan has to offer, but by now, you can see how this city is not just a transit hub, but also a different kind of Italian destination that also deserves to be admired. 

What would make you visit Milan?

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.