Taking a stroll
around Milan is an excellent way of getting to know some fascinating
corners.
It also the only way to get acquainted with its flavor and life
style.
It is true what is told about the Milanese who are always in a hurry.
However, even if nobody could deny Milan is a very active city, its citizens
have learnt when to stop and how to enjoy a walk in the city center
pedestrian areas while having an aperitif and a good chat with some good
friends.
The city center pedestrian areas:
Corso Vittorio Emanuele is a pedestrian precinct with the main cinemas,
bookshops, fashion shops and bars with open-air tables.
Piazza Duomo - Milan's main square with the cathedral.
Via Mercanti - pedestrian precinct with its attractive "piazzetta", the
administrative and political center of Medieval Milan.
Piazza San Babila - Start of the pedestrian precinct, a square surrounded by
post-war architecture with many fashionable shops.
Via Dante created in the late 19th century to provide an evocative link between
the Duomo (cathedral) and the Castle (Castello Sforzesco).
Via Della Spiga - pedestrian street where the great stylists have their showrooms.
Brera is one of the most attractive streets with fine private houses, art galleries,
original shops most popular for its bars, clubs, restaurants and
night-life.
Start from Piazza San Babila, easily reachable with the "metropolitana"
underground line 1, station San Babila. You walk in Corso Vittorio Emanuele,
a fashionable street with lots of high end shops, mainly clothing.
A visit to the roof of the Duomo is a must.
Take the elevator
in the back of the Duomo, if you don't want to gasp on an interminable
stair!
From the rooftop you are in a magic world of marble and statues,
several thousand statues, indeed.
Go to the front of the roof and look down
at the Duomo square.
Look also up to "the Madonnina" the golden
statue on top of the highest guglia, it's the most loved symbol of Milan.
During world war II it was covered so that ir would not shine in the night attracting
the attention of the allied bombers.
At the end of the Corso you arrive at the back of the "Duomo" cathedral.
Do
not miss a visit to the cafeteria of the "La Rinascente" store under the
porticos on your right.
You find it by going up to the last floor of the
store, the cafeteria has a glass wall facing the top of the Duomo.
The sight
is unique and the Cappuccino is worth a visit too.
Continuing North, you reach the main square in front of
"il Duomo". You
should visit the cathedral, if you have not yet done so.
On the right you then enter the "Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II", the first
mall realized in the 19th century, and still a masterwork of artistic
shopping.
On the side of the central octagonal don't miss the bull, there is a
tradition in Milan: squeezing your feet on the bull's balls is supposed to
bring you good luck!
Returning back to piazza Duomo, visit the Piazzetta Reale, on the opposite
side of the square: the "Palazzo Reale" is the place where most
exhibitions of art are held in Milan.
Continue then towards the right corner of the
square, and enter "via Mercanti", stopping to look at the Mercanti square on
the left: it is a surprising corner of medieval Milan preserved intact to
the current days.
At the end of via Mercanti you continue through piazza Cordusio towards via
Dante, recently converted into a pedestrian area. Via Dante will take you to
the "Castello Sforzesco",
definitely worth a visit too.
