Milan, Italy (Point of interest)

The Basilica of Saint Ambrose is one of Milan's most sacred buildings, housing the tomb of the great Saint Ambrose (340-397AD). The interior has three naves, richly decorated by the efforts of famous craftsmen over the centuries. The Basilica's fo... Continue reading →

An impressive piece of 14th-century architecture, the vast Castello Sforzesco fortress in Parco Sempione encircles an arcaded Renaissance courtyard. Its collection of museums exhibit decorative arts, musical instruments and tapestries. Highlights i... Continue reading →

Dominating the central square, Duomo is the world's largest Gothic cathedral, with 135 spires sprouting from the roof. Climb up among the 2300 statues adorning its façade for views of Milan. Inside, marble-patterned floors and decorative stained-g... Continue reading →

Along with three small lakes, a playground for children and countless monuments and statues, Milan's Giardini Pubblici also feature the 18th-century Palazzo Dugnani. It houses the Greenhouse Laboratories, the Civic Museum of National History and Vi... Continue reading →

The world's favourite opera house, La Scala, on Piazza della Scala, boasts a recently restored dazzling red velvet auditorium. Audiences at the exquisite performances of Italian operas and ballets are often dotted with international dignitaries. Bo... Continue reading →

Milan's Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology is a treasure trove of gadgets and inventions. Divided into various sections, it offers explanations on topics as diverse as information technology, engines and astronomy. The museum has r... Continue reading →

Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece, The Last Supper depicts Christ and his disciples eating together for the last time. The artist's rendition of this famous scene was painted as a mural onto the refectory wall in Milan's Dominican monastery Santa Mar... Continue reading →

Milan's Natural History Museum houses Italy's most comprehensive overview of the history of life on planet Earth. The museum boasts more than two-and-a-half million animal specimens, as well as exhibits, plastic skeletons of all kinds, graphs and d... Continue reading →

Despite on-going renovations, Palazzo Reale on Milan's main square exhibits temporary exhibitions of art in ornately gilded and decorated Neo-classical halls. The exhibitions cover a wide range of subje... Continue reading →

Milan's Pinacoteca Ambrosiana was originally created in 1607 by Federico Borromeo as a Fine Art Academy to train new artists. Thanks to donations made over the centuries, today the gallery boasts a wide array of artworks, including Leonardo's Music... Continue reading →

Napoleon's ill-gotten gains form one of the world's best Italian Renaissance art collections, Pinacoteca di Brera, housed in a fine Renaissance palace in Brera. The 38 rooms are brimming with 13th-20th-century artworks by Veronese, Mantegna, Bellin... Continue reading →

The Poldi Pezzoli Museum, just north of the city centre, displays 15th-18th century paintings in a private house organised into themed rooms. Highlights include medieval armoury and works by Raphael and Botticelli, plus Pollaiolo's famous Portrait ... Continue reading →

The old canal district in south-west Navigli is picturesquely filled with artists' studios, eccentric boutiques, antique shops, bars and restaurants. A perfect place for a relaxing stroll or to mingle with the locals is the street Ripa di Porta Tic... Continue reading →

UNESCO world heritage site, Santa Maria delle Grazie church and convent in Sant'Ambrogio was completed in the late 15th century. It is most famous for housing Leonardo's exquisite Cenacolo (The Last Supper) painting. Telephone in advance for a 15-m... Continue reading →

Located near corso Sempione, from where it takes its name, Sempione Park is Milan's biggest green area. It's perfect for long walks and summer picnics, with a large central meadow, an artificial lake and a fountain designed by De Chirico. A 19th-c... Continue reading →

The Triennale of Milan, based in the Palazzo dell'Arte, has been a design mecca for Italians since 1923. It provides a panorama of modern decorative and industrial arts, encouraging the relationship between industry, production and applied arts. D... Continue reading →