Milan Attractions

Duomo Duomo
Piazza del Duomo
Milan

The third largest Church in the world, the Duomo was commissioned in 1386, consecrated in 1418 and yet wasn’t completed until 1813. The Gothic architecture features 135 spires and over 2000 statues, and measures an impressive 158m long with a capacity of 40,000 people.

Teatro alla Scala
Piazza della Scala
Milan

Built by Giuseppe Piermarini, Milan’s opera house opened in 1778 and has one of the largest stages in Italy with an area of 1200 sq m. The building was badly bombed during the Second World War and was rebuilt three years later in 1946. The theatre museum opened in 1913 and houses a great collection of art and sculptures from La Scala and the history of theatre generally.

Santa Maria delle Grazie and the Last Supper
Piazza Sanata Maria delle Grazie
Milan

This magnificent church was designed by Guiniforte Solari and was built between 1463 and 1490. The most famous piece of art within the building is the Last Supper painted by Leonardo. In 1943, a bomb destroyed the main cloister but the painting luckily survived. However years of restorations and Leonardo’s technique of using tempera has meant the picture has suffered some damage, but at least the most recent restoration means that the original painting can be seen even if the colours have dulled.

Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele II
Piazza della Scala
Milan

Designed by Giuseppe Mengoni to connect Piazza della Scala and Piazza del Duomo, the Galleria was opened by its namesake, the king Vittorio Emanuele II in 1868. Full of cafes and shops, the Galleria’s central octagonal area is covered with a stunning 47m high glass dome.

Castello Sforzesco
Piazza Castello
Milan

Originally built as a fortress in 1368 by Galeazzo II Visconti, Filippo Maria transformed the place into a palace. The architect Luca Beltrami saved and converted the castle into a museum centre, after years of decay and neglect. Since 1896, the Civic Museums have been housed at the Castello Sforzesco and the galleries include collections of furniture, art, books, archaeological finds, stamps and musical instruments among others.