High fashion, big city business, art for the ages – Milan might seem all hustle and bustle on the surface but dig deeper and there’s a more serene side to the fashion capital of the world.
Fashion not fads
Milan vies with Paris, London and New York for the title of world fashion capital, and hosts a fashion week twice a year, in Spring and Autumn. The history here began in the Renaissance with luxury goods, and Milan has set trends right through to the modern era. High fashion labels such as Prada, Armani, Versace and Missoni base their operations here.
The Last Supper
The much imitated The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci can be found in the refectory of the Basilica di Santa Marie delle Grazie. Painted in the late 15th century, time has taken its toll, but restoration in 1999 has helped matters.
Be aware that your visit will be brief – in order to maintain the painting in optimum condition only 25 people can enter the refectory at any one time, for just 15 minutes. It’s worth it.
There’s no shortage of art to see in Milan, whether Renaissance or contemporary. Two pieces by Caravaggio demand your attention - the atypical ‘Basket of Fruit’ at the Biblioteca Ambrosiana and the dramatic ‘Supper at Emmaus’ at the Brera Fine Arts Academy. The latter is a must see if you’ve seen his painting of the same scene at the National Gallery in London.
…and then supper
Food is vital to the Milanese – not just for sustenance but also as an expression of their personality and their pride in the region. As regular visitors to Italy know, food can vary enormously from city to city, and thus the landlocked Milan specialises in meat rather than fish.
Shop in style
While there are many temples to fashion that will soon relieve you of your euros, few are as stunning as the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Situated on the Piazza del Duomo, it was completed in 1877 and comprises two shopping arcades, an arched cast iron and glass roof and links the Duomo and the Scala Theatre, two essential tourist attractions in their own right. It’s very much the ‘parlour’ of Milan, where people come to spend time and meet over a cup of coffee.
Behind the modern, high fashion and financial façade of Milan lies a place with an old soul. Car hire in Milan is one of the best ways to make your way around this glorious city and the other great locations the region offers.