Before becoming the city of design and fashion and one of Italy's leading tourist destinations, Milan embraced many identities. Founded in 590 BC by the Celtic tribe of the Insubres, Medialanum became in turn the Roman capital of the West, a stronghold of the Holy Roman Empire and a centre of the Italian Resistance. Running around the Lombard capital will take you through the different chapters of its history.
‘A trip to Lombardy means "Milan" of happiness’.
Milan's name, in French, sounds like "a thousand years"... With this play on words, Belgian author Gaëtan Faucer invites us with humour to discover the capital of Lombardy and its rich past.
Located in northern Italy, on the Po plain, Milan was, according to legend, founded by two Etruscan commanders. Or perhaps it was the Celtic tribe of Insubres or the Gallic Bituriges who founded it...
In 222 BC, the city was conquered by the Romans before becoming one of the most important centres of Christianity. It became the capital of a duchy during the Middle Ages, held primarily by the Visconti family. Their name still appears on the ramparts of the Sforza castle, a 15th-century fortress in the city centre. Over the centuries, the duchy passed through the hands of the great powers of the time: France, Spain and Austria.
In the mid-19th century, the political unification of Italy marked the beginning of the city's industrial domination of the north of the country. Major railway construction projects were undertaken, and the region's stone quarries were exploited. Home to the country's most influential banks, it became Italy's leading financial centre. Today, it is the headquarters of the Italian Stock Exchange.
After the damage caused by the Second World War, Milan began a major architectural transformation, characterised by the construction of numerous skyscrapers and other large-scale buildings. Examples include the Città della Moda and the Pirelli Tower, built near the main railway station. The modernity of these new districts coexists with an older heritage of palaces, squares and museums. Enough to delight the eyes of the 2 million tourists who visit the city each year.
An exceptional heritage
In 2015, Milan was chosen to host the historic Universal Exhibition. This is certainly not unrelated to the prestige of its cultural heritage.
One of Milan's most famous monuments is undoubtedly its opera house: La Scala. Situated in the heart of the city, the theatre is a veritable landmark and has been the setting for some of the world's most famous operas, such as Bellini's Norma. In the Piazza del Duomo, the imposing cathedral with its 136 decorative spires is sure to impress fans of Gothic art. As you walk through it, you can also admire a statue of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of Italy after its unification. Facing the cathedral, the Royal Palace of Milan was the residence of the House of Savoy, before being used as an exhibition centre.
Not far away, piazza Mercanti offers an equally prestigious panorama. An ancient medieval centre, the piazza is surrounded by 4 palaces, including the Palazzo dela Regione, a 13th-century building that served as the seat of justice. Opposite is the Loggia degli Osii, a 14th-century building built for Matthew I Visconti.
The capital of fashion
Milan is undoubtedly the capital of design and fashion. Four of the city's legendary streets, including via Montenapoleone, are home to the biggest luxury brands in Italy and the rest of the world, from Prada to Gucci to Levi. Together they form the Fashion Quadrilateral.
Since 1958, the capital of Lombardy has hosted the famous Fashion Week twice a year. It's a time for spectacle, stunning outfits and celebrities.
During the rest of the year, Milan continues to make its mark when it comes to style: renowned fashion schools, a national chamber of fashion, a district dedicated to Milanese haute couture...
Last but not least, the Vittorio Emmanuele shopping arcade is sure to dazzle! With its neo-classical, baroque style, this historic shopping centre is nicknamed ‘Milan's living room’. It boasts a magnificent glass roof by Giuseppe Mengoni, as well as gourmet restaurants and luxury boutiques.
The European capital of sport
In a completely different field, Milan also sets the standard: football. Two clubs battle it out: AC Milan and Inter Milan. After each winning the Champions League on several occasions, they also both won the Club World Cup. And made Milan the most successful city in terms of clubs, alongside Madrid.
It is in the Giuseppe-Meazza stadium, known as the San Siro, that the athletes play their matches. The most intense of these, the Derby della Madonnina, sees the two clubs and their supporters go head to head - all, of course, with mutual respect!
When it comes to cycling, Milan is no slouch either. After hosting the world road cycling championships in 1926, it was also the starting point for the Milan-San Remo race and the venue for the final stage of the Giro d'Italia.
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