Milano, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele

Begun in 1865 (19th century) on a design by Giuseppe Mengoni, it was inaugurated two years later by Vittorio Emanuele II, to whom it was dedicated, and was completed in 1878 with the Arco Trionfale facing the Piazza del Duomo.
It connects Piazza Duomo with Piazza della Scala. It is one of the first works of art where glass and iron were used as structural elements. The plan in the form of a Latin Cross has an octagonal centre. It represents a meeting place for Milanese who go there at all hours of the day, attracted by its many shops and cafés. Among the most well known is the famous Camparino which has remained practically intact, with mosaics by Angelo d'Andrea and interior decoration by Eugenio Quarti (1921),and the two celebrated Biffi and Savini bar/restaurants, which have been greatly renewed.