Milano, The centre of the big city of Milan

You will enter Milan by the Arch of Peace (Arco della Pace, 1807-1838), gate of this Napoleonic city which is the end of Corso Sempione and the starting point of the Sempione Park. Started in 1807 by Luigi Cagnola, it was concluded in 1838 following Ferdinand I of Austria’s will. It is a green gate stretching up to Castello Sforzesco, the 14th- century fortress on which stands the Tower of Filarete. Westwards, in Corso Magenta, it is worth seeing the St. Mary of Grace Church (Santa Maria delle Grazie). In the refectory of this 15th-century church, a UNESCO World Heritage, is preserved the renowned Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper (Cenacolo di Leonardo da Vinci). Not far away is the National Museum of Science and Technology (Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia), which has been dedicated to Leonardo, genius of the Renaissance. Walking through
via San Vittore, you will reach the Basilica of Saint Ambrose (Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio), patron saint of the city. Its current look is a masterpiece of the Romanesque architecture of the 11th-century even though its construction dates back to the year 379. Going back to Corso Magenta, you will find the Archeological Civic Museum (Civico Museo Archeologico) which encompasses a polygonal tower and part of the defensive walls dating back to the 4th – century. Going along
via Meravigli and via Dante, before entering Piazza Duomo, you will come across Palazzo della Ragione, a 13th-century building which stands in the Medieval Piazza dei Mercanti. This Romanesque building is a typical example of Lombard “Broletto” with a loggia base and a wide salon at the level of piano nobile. Nearby, in Piazza Pio XI, you can visit the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, a gallery preserving precious works by Caravaggio, Leonardo, Raffaello e Tiziano, just to name a few. Within walking distance is the big square where you will see the wonderful façade of the Cathedral (Duomo), unique example of International Gothic cathedral in Italy.
Its construction was started 1386 but it was only concluded in the 19th- century. The renowned statue of the Virgin (Madonnina) stands on its highest pinnacle at about 108 m from the ground. The entrance of the Museum of the Cathedral (Museo del Duomo) is on the southern side of the square, beside Palazzo Reale. Its neoclassical look was designed by the architect Giuseppe Piermarini. If you cross Piazza Duomo you will get to the wonderful Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, a galley which goes up to Piazza della Scala. Here you will see Palazzo Marino, now seat of the Local Council, which was designed by Galeazzo Alessi and built in the mid 16th- century. Opposite this bulding stands the renowned Teatro della Scala, opera house designed by Piermarini and opened to the public in 1788. Mario Botta has led its recent renovation. In the northern area you can visit both Museo Poldi Pezzoli, a museum where works of inestimable value by some Italian artists of the 15th- century are preserved, and Pinacoteca di Brera, a picture gallery renowned all over the world for its collection. Going down you will find St. Mary Church (Santa Maria) in San Satiro, supposedly a wonderful 15th- century trompe l’oeil perspective by Bramante. Then you will get to Parco delle Basiliche, the area close to Porta Ticinese where you will see Basilica of St. Lawrence the Major (Basilica di San Lorenzo Maggiore) and the one of St. Eustorgio, both built in the 14th century. Shortly southwards you can find the dock (Darsena) and the characteristic Navigli, a water channel–side set of pubs and typical restaurants. Just 1 Km southwards, nearby the University stands San Nazaro Maggiore, a church of early Christian origins built in the 16th –century before which you will see the Renaissance Chapel Trivulvio (Cappella Trivulzio). Going in the same direction, you will reach Villa Reale or Villa Belgiojoso Bonaparte, in via Palestro. It is a wonderful example of Neoclassical building of the 15th- century by the architect Pollack. From Piazza Repubblica, going northwards you will then take the street which goes up to the Railway Station. This is protected by the skyscraper knowns as ‘Grattacielo Pirelli’, a modernist work by Gio Ponti and Pierluigi Nervi. Being 127 m high, it became the symbol of the economic rebirth of Milan in the 50’s.