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Milan is the fashion and economic capital of Italy. However, this important Northern Italian city also has a rich history that is worth mentioning (though it is abridged).
Milano was an important city even in Roman times. Milan was the capital of the western part of the empire in the forth century and it was here that Constantine read the Edict of Milan which made Christianity the state religion of the Roman Emperor and, as some would argue, changed the direction of western theology. Barbarians (speakers of a Germanic language whom the Greeks and Romans couldn't understand) invaded in the 5th and 6th centuries and sacked the town. Then in the 12th century, the city of Milan allied themselves with the Lombard league (decedents of those same barbarians) to drive off advances of the Austrian Emperor Frederick Barbarossa and thus achieved independence. Gian Galeazzo rose to power during this time and being of pious nature, started the construction of the Milan's grand cathedral (my reason for visiting) Leonardo Di Vinci called Milan home during part of the renaissance as Milano became a cultural capital during the renaissance (it was known as "The New Athens".) Unfortunately, Milan then spent much of the next 300 years under control of one power or another. (I said this was abridged) Finally, 1848, Milan was the center of a revolt that gained a large part of Italy independence from the Austrian Empire. I only had half a day in Milan (I was going from Lake Como to the airport). However, I was impressed. I took a speedy subway train from the subway station to the Duomo (the main cathedral) and Galleria (shopping center) I was able to wander around a small of the town around the area and enjoyed my last expresso on a street near the castle. I was also surprised by the lack of street beggars that I had seen so many of in other Italian cities almost a decade before. However, this could have been due to a large police presence. (I did see a lot of beggars around the train station as I was leaving for the airport) I did not talk to any of the locals in Milan. However, I have encountered them in my travels elsewhere. First, a couple from Milan saved my trip when I was in Austria. I had put my camera pack down to have a photo taken of me, but I forgot to pick it up when I walked off. The woman ran after me to tell me that I left it. So to her, thank you very much. Her friendliness has been typical for the people from Milan that I have met outside of the city. They are also all very proud of their city and feel that everyone should visit it. (Sources: Rick Steves' Italy 2004, Michelin Green Guide: Italy ) I hope you enjoy the photos. Please note that my reason for going to Milano was to see El Duomo.That is why there are so many pictures of it. Any comments, please E-mail me, . |
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Victor Emmanuel II
El Duomo
Spires from the ground
Spires from the roof
La Galleria
Inside the Galleria
Brand name store
Statue in El Duomo
Bishop watching you
Dragon Gargoyle 
Church spires
The Roof of the Cathedral 
Piazza Duomo, from the roof
La Galleria
A saint
Church from the ground
Church Roof
Window
Clocktower
Piazza
Another shopping street
Statue
Tower near the castle.All photos by John L. Polos
Copyright January 30, 2008
