1. Duomo (Cathedral)
Piazza del Duomo 18
|
What is it? The looming Duomo, the world's largest Gothic
cathedral, presides over the Piazza that bears its name. Its
construction began in 1386 and continued sporadically until
Napoleon ordered its completion in 1809. Its lengthy creation
bestowed on it 3,400 statues, 135 spires and 96 gargoyles. It is
best visited in full sunshine when the interior is illuminated by
the colourful mosaic of its stained glass windows. The church is a
five-aisled cruciform seating 40,000 worshippers. The 16th-century
marble tomb of Giacomo de Medici lies in the south transept and
lying buried at its heart is St Charles Borromeo, the cathedral's
most important benefactor. Every year in May and September a nail
from the cross of Christ is displayed to worshippers and is
retrieved from its resting place by the bishop who is hoisted to
the nivola to reach it. Across the piazza in the Palazzo Reale is
the Museo del Duomo that displays the treasures from the cathedral.
It also houses the Museo d'Arte Contomporanea, showcasing a
collection of Italian Futurist art.
Hours of Operation: Daily 7am to 7pm. The dome is open from 9am daily,
closing between 5pm and 6.30pm depending on the season. Treasury:
Monday to Friday 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm (Saturday until 5pm),
Sunday 1.30pm to 4pm
Phone:(02) 8646 3456 |
2. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Piazza del Duomo
|
What is it? This four-storey, glass-domed arcade is
entered from the Piazza in front of the Cathedral and extends to
the Piazza della Scala. It was originally built as a link to the
opera house but has become a fashionable place to hang out, sip
coffee or camparis, or take a stroll through its many exclusive
shops. Milanese gather in this conservatory to escape the winter
rains or to socialise after a busy working
day.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
3. Theatre Museum at La Scala (Museo Teatrale alla Scala)
Largo Ghiringhelli 1, Piazza della Scala
www.lascala.milano.it |
What is it? This world famous opera house rests on the
site of the Church of Santa Maria alla Scala, its namesake. The
Museum provides a wealth of mementos from the opera house dedicated
to the nation's beloved composers and performers. These include
Rossini, Puccini and Toscanini. Two halls are devoted to Verdi
alone and contain memorabilia such as the spinet on which he learnt
to play, hand-written scores and the baton given to him after the
momentous reception of Aida.
Hours of Operation: Daily 9am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to
5.30pm
Phone:(02) 8879 2473 |
4. Santa Maria delle Grazie
Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie 2, Corso Magenta
www.cenacolovinciano.it/html/eng/smgrazie.htm |
What is it? Located next to the church in the former
monastery's refectory is Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting, The
Last Supper (Cenacolo Vinciano). The fresco depicts the moment of
Christ's revelation of the betrayal. Judas hovers to the right of
the painting with his hand placed protectively on the bag of
silver. Scaffolding covers the bottom of the painting (an ongoing
restoration project), leaving the rest in full view. Controversy
has erupted over the removal of layers of corrective over-painting
completed in the 18th and 19th centuries. The painting has endured
more than hot debate however as it escaped the bombing during WWII
that destroyed the roof of the refectory.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Sunday 8.15am to 7.30pm. Reservations are
essential and visitors must arrive 15 minutes before allocated time
of visit
Phone:(02) 8942 1146 |
5. Museo Poldi-Pezzoli
Via Manzoni 12
www.museopoldipezzoli.it |
What is it? The Museo Poldi-Pezzoli contains a
spectacular private collection that was bequeathed by its namesake
Poldi Pezzoli to the city in 1879. Numerous masterpieces hang from
the walls of the Golden Room with its vista onto a picturesque
garden. Antonio Pollaiolo's Portrait of a Lady has become the
symbol for Milan's own style and elegance and depicts the profile
of an elegant woman. Other famous paintings include a Virgin and
Child by Andrea Mantegna, Bellini's Ecco Homo, Piero della
Francesca's St Nicholas and Guardi's Gray
Lagoon.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm
Phone:(02) 796 334 |
6. Museum of Historic Art of the Sforzesco Castle
Piazza Castello
www.milanocastello.it |
What is it? The gargantuan Sforzesco Castle built in the
15th century is one of Milan's foremost monuments. It was restored
after being bombed in 1943. The vast interior, which is broken here
and there by smaller courtyards, contains three museums, the most
notable of which is Museum of Historic Art (Museo d'Arte Antica del
Castello Sforzesco). Within its collection of sculptures is the
famous Pieta Rondanini, Michelangelo's final work. The picture
gallery features paintings by Mantegna, Bellini, da Vinci and Fra
Filippo Lippi. The two other museums within the Castle's ramparts
are the Museum of Applied Arts and the Archaeological
Museum.
Hours of Operation: Castle: Daily 9am to 6pm (winter), closing at 7pm in
summer. Closed 25 December, 1 January and 1 May. Museums are closed
on Mondays
Phone:(02) 8846 3700 |
7. Leonardo da Vinci National Science & Technology
Museum
Via San Vittore 21
www.museoscienza.org |
What is it? Within the Leonardo Gallery of the museum is
a collection of Leonardo's ingenious designs from war machines to
architectural visions. Applied physics is the focus of another room
in keeping with the museum's tribute to the history of
science.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm. Holidays and
weekends 9.30am to 6.30pm
Phone:(02) 485 551 |
8. The Gallery of Modern Art
Villa Reale, Via Palestro 16
|
What is it? The Gallery of Modern Art (Civica Galleria
d'Arte Moderna) is housed in the building, which once served at
Napoleon's summer palace and was occupied by the famous statesman
and Josephine between 1805 and 1814. It is now recognised for its
collection of modern art with works by Picasso, Matisse, Renoir,
Gaugin and Cézanne.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Sunday 9.30am to 5.30pm
Phone:(02) 7600 2819 |
9. Portofino
|
What is it? Nestled in a sheltered inlet within the
stretch of the Italian Mediterranean is the coastal village of
Portofino. It has long been the playground for the rich and famous,
attracting the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Sophia Loren, Richard
Burton, Elizabeth Taylor and Princess Grace. It is not surprising
therefore that its exclusivity and prices rose to match its
holidaymakers. The scenic surrounds can be explored from the
outlying nature reserve graced with cypress and olive slopes. Set
off from here on a 90-minute trek to San Fruttuoso or a
2½-hour hike to Santa Margherita. Other sights around
Portofino include its castle and the lighthouse (faro) with its
breathtaking view of the coastline.
Hours of Operation:
Phone:(0185) 269 024 (tourist office) |
10. Cinque Terre
|
What is it? Cinque Terre means 'Five Lands'. These are
the five related fishing villages that nestle precariously on the
cliffs overlooking the azure ocean of the Italian Riviera, off the
country's northwestern coast. It is a picture postcard dream of
sparkling clear waters and dramatic vistas contained within the
tranquil embrace of the villages that are connected to one another
by a scenic pathway that curves through the hillside among olive
groves and vineyards. Monterosso is the largest of the towns and is
recognisable through the huge statues carved into the rocks facing
its shores. The village of Riomaggiore is quickly identified
through the myriad fishing boats festooning its shores and is
linked by the 'lovers lane' to the charming town of Manarola.
Corniglia perches precariously onto the mountainside and is
accessed through a steep climb and Vernazza's promenade and piazza
have beautiful sea vistas.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
