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Tourist information: Milan
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Milan "Il Duomo", The Duomo, which traditionally symbolizes the city of Milan, is the most extraordinary example of Italian late Gothic art. It ranks third in terms of dimension after the Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in Rome and Seville's Cathedral. Located in the very heart of the city it represents both the core of the city and the unavoidable destination of countless visitors from Italy and abroad.
The construction of the Duomo began in 1386 promoted by Gian Galeazzo Visconti, lord of Milan, and continued for centuries.
The Duomo is entirely covered from its base with pinkish-white marble. In the facade five large portals are inserted carrying high-reliefs illustrating sacred and historical scenes such as "The life of Sant'Ambrogio". Wide slabs of marble make up the roof of the Duomo which can be reached by a steep external staircase, consisting of 919 steps, carved between the left side and the transept.
The effort of "climbing" the Duomo is highly rewarded by the magnificent view of the surrounding plain up to the Alps; should the weather be ungenerous it will still be possible to enjoy the vision of the "Madonnina" , the golden statue of the Virgin Mary, the 135 lace-like spires and the many statues which decorate the roof.
On entering the majestic interior of the cross-shaped cathedral, the sight is captured by the polychrome stained glass windows depicting scenes from the life of the saints. The eight naves of the Cathedral are divided by 52 gigantic pillars topped by a series of niches with statues. The renowned Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the first buildings in Europe built in glass and iron, was inaugurated in 1867 by King Vittorio Emanuele II himself.
It is called il salotto di Milano because it is the traditional meeting place of the Milanese; indeed it offers a wide range of cafés, restaurants such the historical restaurant Savini as well as fashion boutiques and the most important bookshops in the city.
It is on the plan of a Latin cross with an octagonal centre, the famous Ottagono regarded by every single Milanese as the heart of the city and is dominated by a central dome expanding into four branches one of which overlooking Piazza Duomo. The main branch connects Piazza Duomo with Piazza Scala and is the preferred promenade for La Scala amateurs who love strolling around with their fashionable evening dresses before enjoying a performance at La Scala Theatre. Palazzo Reale, a large Neoclassical building which is a result of the radical re-elaboration made by architect Piermarini between 1772 and 1778 of a pre-existing palace, was the seat of Spanish governors in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
The original construction was characterized by a court facing the palace which was afterwards replaced by a large area by Piermarini, who wanted it to become a wide square. The square as we can admire it today has preserved the features according to Piermarini’s design. The bombs of 1943 seriously damaged most of the palace, including the splendid Hall of the Caryatids.
Nevertheless, Palazzo Reale is the most important exhibiting space in the city hosting internationally renowned exhibitions of works by outstanding artists such as Monet, Kandinsky, Picasso and exhibitions on artistic movements which have marked the history of art.
Over the most recent years, reconstruction works have been carried out to reclaim huge and prestigious areas in order to host more permanent and temporary exhibitions.
GETTING TO MILAN (BY PLANE)
Linate Airport
Linate lies at short distance from Milan city centre. It is very easy indeed to reach the beautiful Duomo Square as it is
only 7 kilometres off.
Linate airport useful numbers
Lost baggage +39-02 79 124 451
Information office +39-02 74 852 200
Malpensa airport is the main international airport in Milan
It lies at about 40 kilometres from the city centre. It has recently undergone huge renovation works and a considerable process of enlargement making it one of the most modern hubs in Europe. It consists of two different terminals linked by a shuttle bus. Thus upon arrival and departure check which terminal you will be landing at or taking off.
Malpensa airport useful number:
Terminal 1 Lost baggage +39-02 58 580 070
Terminal 2 Lost baggage +39-02 74 854 215
Information office +39-02 74 852 200
Orio al Serio Airport
Is a minor airport with respect both to its dimension and flight frequency. However it embodies a very important function of support in relation to Malpensa and Linate airports as it takes over part of their air traffic.
It is often used in state of emergency as in case of fog.
Orio al Serio is located 45 kilometres from Milan city centre.
Orio al Serio airport useful numbers:
Lost baggage
035.326352
Information office
035.326323
Ticket office
(information on flights, prices and how to reach Milan city centre).
All airlines offices
At the Malpensa international airport, you will find all major airlines, because of this Milan is reachable from anywhere in the world. Also the Linate airport is able to traffic international flights.
The banner company of Italy is Alitalia.
It flies to over 60 countries.
Whatever your country and airline, you will find offices for your assistance. The service offered by the different companies will make your travelling easy, both before and after your flight.
Information and assistance services are guaranteed to help you with any question or problem. Ticket services allow you to reserve or buy tickets before boarding. Baggage and lost items services are there to help you with any problem.
GETTING TO MILAN (BY TRAIN)
Stazione Centrale
Central Railway Station, is the main railway junction in Lombardy.
It lies at short distance from the city centre and is very well served by two underground lines and a considerable number of trams and buses.
Stazione Centrale is an imposing building characterized by huge and magnificent white marble statues. It is also a beautiful historical building, inaugurated in 1931, after 25 years of construction works aimed at meeting a growing demand of railway networks.
Notwithstanding its huge dimension the ever increasing railway traffic passing through Milan is partly diverted towards two slightly minor railway stations: Garibaldi and Lambrate.
Reaching Milan City Center
Once arrived at Stazione Centrale, Central Railway Station, you are very close to the very heart of Milan: the Duomo square. Here you may choose the following means of transport to conveniently reach your destination:
Underground: the Stazione Centrale is served by two lines, the yellow line or line 3 taking directly to Duomo stop and the green line, also known as line 2.
Taxi service is always available day and night at taxi ranks just outside the station or by calling the following telephone numbers:
Radio taxi +39-02.8585
Cooperativa Esperia +39-02.8383
Taxi Blu +39-02.4040
The initial fare includes a fix rate of about €3,10 besides the cost of the trip itself and the additional fees for night service and baggage.
Malpensa Shuttle is a very convenient bus connecting Central Railway station with Malpensa and Linate airports.
Car rental
The following agencies providing car rental service are available inside the Central Railway Station.
Lambrate Station
Is another important international railway station in Milan and provides a remarkable number of railway connections with Switzerland. Lambrate Station is served by the green underground or line 2 also stopping by the other railway stations Cadorna, Centrale and Garibaldi. If you wish to reach Duomo square from Lambrate Station take the green underground or line 2 heading towards Stazione Centrale then take the yellow line, or line 3, to Duomo.
Taxis, trams and buses are available such as bus 54 connecting Lambrate Station to Piazza S. Babila, a beautiful square
nearby the Duomo.
Lambrate Station useful information: Address Piazza Bottini
Information office +39-02.63711
Ticket office open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:50 p.m.
Garibaldi Station connects Milan with a remarkable number
of European cities
Right through Garibaldi Station passes the loop taking to Porta Venezia, the very heart of Milan. The green line, or line 2, connects Garibaldi Station with the other city railway stations: Stazione Centrale, Cadorna, Lambrate:
Taxi service is always available at taxi ranks just outside the exit. If you prefer to take the underground to Duomo square take line 2 heading for Central Station and then line 3 or yellow line and get off at Duomo stop.
Garibaldi station useful information: Address Piazza Freud, 1
Information office +39-02.63719275
Ticket office open from open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
GETTING TO MILAN (BY CAR)
It is very simple to reach Milan by car through the four main motorways:
Motorway A1 linking Milan with Bologna, Florence and Rome
Motorway A4 connecting Milan with Turin and Venice
Motorway A7 linking Milan with Genoa
Motorway A8 - A9 connecting Milan with Switzerland
It is important to remind that these are toll-motorways:
entering the highway a ticked is to be collected
and at the chosen exit a price regarding the number of kilometres
run will have to be paid.
The speed limit is 130 km/h.
Along the motorway there are information desks known as Punto Blu providing assistance and details on available services such as Viacard or Telepass enabling drivers to pass through toll gates without queuing up.
Bypasses
It is important to know that in Milan there are three bypasses enabling drivers to reach different parts of the city and suburbs without crossing the city centre.
They are linked with the motorways and the main thoroughfares.
They are indicated on the street signs as follows:
Tangenziale Nord
Tangenziale Est
Tangenziale Ovest
Bypasses usually consist of three lanes; there is heavy traffic at rush hours and toll payment is not required.
Milan is Italy's capital of finance and advanced tertiary sector. It houses one of the most important stock markets in Italy and Europe. Milan also boasts one of the leading European exhibition centres "Fiera Milano" with over 26 pavilions and a busy calendar including more than 70 shows per year. At Fiera Milano you may admire the best of Italian fashion or visit "Artigiano in Fiera" (Crafwork at Fiera Milano) together with the two million visitors usually attending it. Click on Ambrogio to visit Fiera Milano website and get acquainted with its calendar and opportunities.
Milan has much to offer and this is particularly true if we consider the remarkably interesting educational opportunities targeted both to Italian and foreign students.
In the city every kind of school and institute is present, virtually covering every field of knowledge: from the renowned Conservatory "Giuseppe Verdi" to the prestigious Brera Academy; from La Scala Theatre Ballet School offering unique opportunities to young dance novices to the numerous courses provided by the Civic Schools on topics such as Italian language, painting and artistic craftwork.
And much else.
A remarkable number of foreign citizens accounting for around 10% of the city's total population has chosen Milan as the city where to live, work and raise their children. In the latest years an increase in the presence of foreigners in Milan has been recorded. The largest communities are from Asia and Africa, whereas Americans and Europeans are less numerous.
National laws regulate the entry of foreigners in Italy. This section includes all the necessary information to comply with the rules to legally enter and settle in Italy.
Foreigners wishing to move to Italy will also find in the following pages a considerable number of useful suggestions and advices on where to look for a job or an apartment, just to make an example. Moreover, addresses of consulates, associations and foreign communities in Milan providing help and advice to foreigners are also indicated as to facilitate integration in the city's life.
Where to sleep when you are in Milan? A vast and diversified range of solutions, from the more reasonable accommodation to the most luxurious hotel, suited to meet any desire and any budget, will be present in the city to give you the embarrassment of the choice.
All types of accommodation in Milan, from large hotels, to pensions, to youth hostels and camping sites keep up with the tradition of Italian hospitality made up of attention, courtesy and care.
