 HIGHLIGHTS
The artistic and cultural wealth is very wide.
Theatres, picture galleries, museums, churches and palaces have nothing to envy to other cities more praised and well known, under a cultural point of view.
Milan's aim is to further increase the people's chance to visit all these treasures, supporting it with a hard promotional activity: proof of the good results generated by these efforts is Milan's nomination as 2015 Expo venue.
 DUOMO
The Cathedral is the church that symbolises the entire city. Dedicated to Santa Maria Nascente and commissioned by Gian Galeazzo Visconti, the works commenced in 1386. It is fascinating due to its imposing structure, its sculpted decorations and its splendid windows. It is Italy's most significant testimony of international gothic architecture, it is unique and incomparable due to its blend of Nordic features and Lombard elements. On the outside, the grandiose mass of the building is crowned by the main spire with its famous statue of Our Lady, which is made of gold-plated copper, it is 4 metres high and was created in 1774. A climb to the terraces will allow you to enjoy a view over the city and the Alps when the weather is fine.
 VITTORIO EMANUELE GALLERY
"The living room of Milan". The construction (1865-1877) was undertaken by architect Giuseppe Mengoni. Shaped like a cross, its arms cross in an octagon of steel and glass. The Gallery is sought after by Milanese and tourists alike for its restaurants, bars, coffee shops, book stores, and clothing stores.
 LA SCALA OPERA HOUSE
La Scala Theatre was founded at the empress Marie Therese of Austria’s will, after a fire had destroyed the Teatro Regio Ducale on 26th February 1776.
The Theatre was planned by the great neoclassical architect Giuseppe Piermarini, and was opened on 3rd August 1778 with the opera Europa riconosciuta by Antonio Salieri, libretto by Mattia Verazi.
The world image of the Theatre is undoubtedly bound to Giuseppe Verdi. In 1839 Oberto, Conte di San Bonifacio opens a series of Verdi’s operas.
In 2002 La Scala underwent some big restoration work until October 2004. Besides the conservative restoration of the monumental part and the modernisation of the mechanical system, the most evident aspect of the renewed Theatre is the imposing ellipse and the new stage tower, both planned by architect Mario Botta.
 SFORZA CASTLE
Built in 1450-66 by Francesco Sforza. The remains of ancient constructions can be seen in the famous Piazza d'Armi. Restructured (BBPR, 1954-56) in the post-war years, the Castle is today host to the Civic Collections of Ancient Art (sculpture, with Michelangelo's "Rondanini Pietà ", a picture gallery and art room), of applied Art and engravings with ceramics, ivories, bronzes, tapestries, musical instruments and "Bertrelli" prints), of Archaeological (Egyptian and pre-historic sections) and numismatic art and to the Trivulziana Library.
DA VINCI'S LAST SUPPER The refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie Dominican convent, next to the homonym church, preserves one of the world's most famous paintings: Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper.
The work was realized on the north wall of the big hall between the year 1494 and 1498 during Ludovico il Moro's seigniory. It was painted by Leonardo using a “dry” technique instead of the fresco technique which was traditionally adopted for wall paintings.
The accomplishment, the environmental conditions and historical events determined a serious deterioration of the work over the centuries, and this was documented since a fewest years from the conclusion of the work itself. Several restorations followed over the years and the last one, concluded in the year 1999 and carried out with the most advanced and the newest scientific techniques, has recovered the original paintings and they have removed, where possible, those laid up by all the interventions.
The preservation of Leonardo's work requires the best environmental conditions reached through air-tratment and through special procedures for the visitors' admission. The entrance is organized in groups of 25 people every 15 minutes.
From Tuesday to Sunday from 8.15 until 19.00 (last entrance at 18.45). Closed every Monday and on: 1 January, 1 May, 25 December
The visit lasts 15 minutes. 25 people maximum are allowed to enter every 15 minutes.
 SANTA MARIA DELLE GRAZIE
Two immortal signatures: Donato Bramante and Leonardo da Vinci. The church was built between 1466 and 1490 on the basis of a design by the architect Guiniforte Solari. A few years later however, Ludovico il Moro called upon Bramante, who built the apsidal area, leaving a mark of his art on the grandiose apse, an example of spatial architecture from the Renaissance era. And once again it was the great architect from Urbino who created two other jewels in this church: the Cloister and the Old Sacresty. In the refectory of the old Dominican convent, Leonardo created the famous "Supper" on one of the walls, it was commenced in 1494 and finished approximately two years later.
 ST. AMBROSE BASILICA
The current building was erected on the perimeter of the previous Basilica Martyrum, built at the end of the 4th century by Saint Ambrose, the patron saint of the city, an important reformer and defender of the Church. The church is preceded by a wide four-sided portico and it represents one of the most important examples of Romanic architecture in Italy and in Europe. Among the works of art housed inside it, the famous golden altar is worth mentioning, it was created during the 9th century by Volvinio and other master goldsmiths. It is a case entirely upholstered in sheets of gold and silver with enamelled cornices and mounted stones. In the chapel of S. Vittore in Ciel d'Oro, which was built during the 4th century and decorated with a mosaic, there is the oldest and most realistic image of St. Ambrose.
 BRERA ART GALLERY
The "Pinacoteca di Brera", housed in a seventeenth century palatial mansion known by the same name, has become a real centre of artistic and scientific culture at the heart of Milan. The extraordinary patrimony of the art gallery (more than 400 works on display documenting Lombard and Italian painting from 1300 to twentieth-century avant-garde) boasts many masterpieces: "The Death of Christ" by Mantegna, Giovanni Bellini's " Pietà", "The Marriage of the Virgin" by Raffaello, Piero della Francesca's "Montefeltro Altarpiece", "Christ at the Pillar" by Bramante, Caravaggio's "Supper at Emmaus", the "Kiss" by Hayez….
Opening Time: from Tuesday to Sunday: 8.30am-7.15pm. Closed every Mon, 1st Jan, 1st May, 25th Dec.
 PINACOTECA AMBROSIANA
This famous private Art Gallery is housed in a palatial building called "dell Ambrosiana". It was constructed according the wishes of Cardinal Federico Borromeo in 1603. A very well-known "Biblioteca" or library with many rare volumes can be consulted here. The original nucleus of the "Pinacoteca's collection" was a donation made in the year 1618 and later it's patrimony progressively increased. The Collection which is of fundamental importance for Italian and worldwide art has been reopened after years of restoration work. The most precious part of the collection consists of works collected by Cardinal Borromeo.
Opening hours: from Tuesday to Sunday, all-day-opening from 10.00am to 5.30pm. Closed on Mondays.
 POLDI PEZZOLI MUSEUM
In the palace once owned by Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli a very precious collection is stored, with paintings from XIV to XVIII century: masterpieces by Mantegna, Giovanni Bellini, Piero della Francesca, Sandro Botticelli and Francesco Guardi; then, works by Palma il vecchio, Foppa, Tiepolo e Lotto. Rich furnitures (carpets, laces, tapestries, glasses, porcelaine) and a very important of old weapons and uniforms, mostly composed by Italian items.
Open everyday 10.00-18.00
Closed on Mondays ; Jan 1 , Easter, S. Angelo, Apr 25,
May 1, Aug 15, Nov 1, Dec 8, 25 and 26.
 MUNICIPAL MUSEUMS IN SFORZA CASTLE Sforza Castle gives hospitality, in their large halls, to some important art collections like:l Ancient art Municipal Museum, Municipal Archeological Collections, Musical Instruments Museum, Municipal Numismatic Collection, Historic Municipal Archive and Trivulziana Biblioteque.
Closed on Mondays
Opening hours: 9.00 - 17.30 (entrance permitted until 17.00)
 LA SCALA MUSEUM
The Teatro alla Scala Museum was founded in 1913. Just like the opera house, it was restored a few years ago and reopened in 2004.
The Teatro alla Scala Museum tells the life of the opera house through a vast collection of music instruments, portraits, busts and documents dedicated to the greatest musicians, from Giuseppe Verdi to Arturo Toscanini. Visitors can also admire the auditorium from boxes and have the possibility to get to know the backstage machinery during the preparation of a show.
Everyday From 9.00 to 12.30 (last entrance at 12.00)
From 13.30 to 17.30 (last 17.00)
 DIOCESAN MUSEUM
The Diocesan Museum of Milan was created to make some aspects of the Ambrosian Diocese better known as reflected in the works of art on show and above all highlighting its historical and ecclesiastical identity. The museum preserves and promotes the important artistic works of art in the care of the Diocese by increasing understanding of the historic and religious significance of these precious objects. In this context rediscovering the beauty of these artistic works takes on new importance full of meaning.
Opening Time: Tuesday-Sunday 10.00-18.00 except on Thursdays 10.00am-10.00pm, closed on Mondays.
BAGATTI VALSECCHI MUSEUM It's one of the finest museum-homes in Europe. It is now a private foundation, set up by the Bagatti Valsecchi heirs to open the family's late 19th century residence and collections of artworks to the public. Since 1994 it has been possible to visit the house's many fascinating rooms in which the 19th century interiors are embellished by outstanding collections, of Renaissance origin or inspiration: paintings, wood carvings and furnishings, weapons and armour, ceramic and glass wares, artefacts in gold and ivory, decorative metal objects, tapestries.
Opening hours: 13.00-17.45, closed on Mondays.
THE TRIENNALE Triennale di Milano, located in the building called Palazzo dell'Arte, inside Sempione Park, presents a wide collection of Italian design and several temporary modern art exhibitions. Mostly the Collezione Permanente of Italian design is unique in Italy in terms of quality and quantity regarding the patrimony of objects, which constitute a basis for exhibitions on Italian Design, shown both at the Triennale as well as in the rest of the world. The aim is to shed new light on the history of Italian industrial production.
Opening Hours : Tuesday - Sunday 10.30-20.30; Thursday 10.30-23.00
FASHION DISTRICT The Fashion District is an imaginary block formed by four streets in Milan downtown. Via Montenapoleone is an elegant street, famous for fashion and jewelry shops. It is the most important street inside the Milan Fashion District (Italian Quadrilatero della moda) where many well-known fashion designers have their high-end boutiques and stores. All around the world very famous brands from Italian designers: Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Dior, ecc.
NATIONAL MUSEUM of SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY The Museum is housed in an early 16th century Olivetan monastery and is named after Leonardo da Vinci, the extraordinary Renaissance intellect who mastered art, science and technology. Through the years Museum collected and exhibited objects, machinery and evidence that retrace the key phases of our country’s scientific and technological evolution.
Opening hours:Tuesday – Friday 9.30 - 17.00
Saturday and holidays 9.30 - 18.30
Closed o working Mondays, December 25, January 1
G. MEAZZA STADIUM The "Giuseppe Meazza" stadium is situated in San Siro district. It was built in 1927 and restructured and modernized in 1990 for the World-Cup Italia '90. The stadium consists of three tiers, each of which is divided into 4 different-coloured zones - orange and red for the rectangular zones and green and blue for the curved zones - where 85.700 visitors find place. It is possible to visit the ground, the tiers, the changing rooms with a stadium guide, then free time to visit the museum and for some shopping at the official stadium shop.
Opening hours; everyday, from 10.00 to 17.00
Closed on: ; Jan 1 , Aug 15, Dec 25, 26, 31.
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