Located in northwest Italy’s Lombardy region, and thirty miles south of the Alps, Milan borders the Lake District which includes the Como and Maggiore lakes. The city is a 3 to 4 hours ride from Rome by train and the same distance from Venice by train. The Milan landscape contains a myriad of buildings, albeit nice pieces of architecture with tremendous characters and a range of styles from the relatively ancient Neo-classical palazzos to the modern skyscrapers and office buildings. The city houses many financial institutions and also the Italian stock exchange.
The city’s main attractions are located in its center and consist of the enormous Milan Duomo which has been around for 5 centuries. The cathedral took 4 centuries from foundation to finish and is currently the city’s hub. One can view the city from its roof as well as get a view of its 135 spires. The Teatro alla Scala Opera House features some magnificent productions and has quite an opulent interior with good sound effects for the audience’s convenience. The Opera House sits an audience that’s in the neighborhood of 2000 people in a good and comfortable setting. The Castello Sforzeco, a fortress that has undergone its share of fights in history was originally built in 1776. It was restored by the descendants of the original owner after being razed to the ground during one of the battles. Today, the fortress is an aesthetic symbol with an elegant Renaissance façade which receives a flow of visitors throughout the year.
Built in 1463, the Santa Maria delle Grazie is an elaborate church that houses Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous painting, the Last Supper. The church is open for viewing to public and the tourist is treated to a history of the church and the greater Milan. The Pinacoteca di Brera Gallery hosts one of Italy’s most important art collections; it features masterpieces from artists including Picasso, Grassi, Matisse and Palazzo Bagatti-Valsecchi. The gallery has a reputation as one of the finest in Europe with its outstanding displays and collections.
The leading Italian and international fashion designers are located at the famous Via Montenapoleone. Many important fashion shows are organized in these parts every other year where the latest collections are showcased. The Italian Grand Prix, Gran Premio di Monza is held in the nearby Monzo and is a show worth the motor enthusiast and any other soul who loves fun.