Milan

Milan: 3 Iconic Buildings

Adrian Petersen — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 09:49:51 +0000

Only minutes from one of the world’s great shopping areas known as the golden square – Quadrilatero d’Oro – bordered by Via Montenapoleone and Via Della Spiga, where the fashion Gods have their temples are three of Milan’s iconic buildings, the Duomo, La Scala and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

The Duomo built of Candoglia marble was begun in 1386 under Gian Galeazzo Visconti and is an outstanding example of Gothic architecture. Teatro Alla Scala, the home of Italian Opera and built in 1778 by Piermarini, has a sober neoclassical facade and inside a splendid horse-shoe shaped hall with four rows of boxes and two galleries. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the centre of Milanese cultral life, was designed by Giuseppe Mengoni to a cruciform plan and was completed in 1877. It is roofed by tunnel vaults of glass and iron whilst the walls make use of Renaissance motifs in stucco and mock stone. It is crowned with a glass cupola at a height of 47 metres.

Don’t miss these architectural gems when visiting Milan. Check out the full guide here

Art along Milan’s Canals

Adrian Petersen — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 09:15:55 +0000

Milan’s history is inherently connected with the system of canals, that wind their way through the whole city. Naviglio Grande is the city’s oldest canal and takes it’s water from the Ticino river. Construction took place from 1177 to 1257 and the canal is some fifty kilometres in length. Originally built as a means of transporting goods, it was also used to carry the marble blocks that were used in the construction of the Milan’s Cathedral.

Today amongst the old wash-houses with their wooden beamed roofs you will find artisans shops along side boutiques, cafés, restaurants and barges fitted out as bars creating a unique atmosphere.

Next month (May) “Arte sul Naviglio” is held alongside the historic Naviglio Grande canal, from viale Gorizia to via Casale. Originally organised to represent a handful of Milanese painters, ‘Art on the Naviglio’ today exhibits the work of around 300 artists from all over Italy.

So whether its oils, acrylics, watercolours or something a little more experimental, this is a great place to browse and find an artistic bargain.

For more information check out Naviglio Grande

Milan: BikeMi

Adrian Petersen — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 07:59:25 +0000

Want to help reduce traffic and pollution whilst enjoying exercise, then try out Milan’s new public bike sharing service, BikeMi.

Visitors and Tourists alike can choose a daily or weekly pass and register online by using a credit card. Once you have your code and password, you have access to over 70 stations mostly around the city centre where all you have to do is follow the simple instructions on display. Take your bike, ride it for less than two consecutive hours and leave the bike at any other BikeMi station.

The first 30 minutes are free. After the first 30 minutes it costs € 0.50 for every subsequent half hour or fraction of a half hour for a maximum of two hours. Available 365 days a year from 7:00 to 23:00 (until 02:00 in during the summer). The service is not available to under 16′s.

For more information, maps and rates go to BikeMi

Milan: 10 Great Links

Adrian Petersen — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 11:01:10 +0000

10 great links for information on and about Milan:

Milan’s Train Timetables and Tickets

Milan’s Subway- Map and Tickets

Milan’s Weather – Next 5 Days

Municipality of Milan

Milan’s Airports – Linate and Malpensa

Milan’s Duomo – The World’s Largest Gothic Cathedral

AC Milan Football Club

Internazionale Football Club

Milan Auditorium – Milan’s Symphony Orchestra and Choir

Teatro alla Scala – Milan’s Opera House

Milan: Getting Around

Adrian Petersen — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 06:50:06 +0000

Getting around Milan is easy once you know where to start. So get an ATM Special Ticket (Biglietti Speciali ATM) and take the easy option.

These tickets will help you move easily, day or night, around Milan’s Public Transport network (buses, trams and underground/metro). Also don’t forget that you can use your tickets for travel to and from Milan’s Linate airport.

Ticket prices start from € 1.00 for a ticket valid for 75 minutes after stamping for a single journey on the underground or rail network or you can buy a Carnet of 10 standard tickets for € 9.20. If you are staying longer than one day travel cards for 4 days cost € 8,00 or € 6,50 the 2 day version.

For more info check out the ATM website