Historical-Landmarks

Historical Landmarks Near Milano Centrale

When you are in Milan, the capital city of Lombardy in northern Italy, you will want to get out and see everything you can. The historical significance of the architecture, monuments, and culture of Milan is simply amazing.

Chances are pretty great that while in Milan, you will at some point visit the Milano Centrale, the biggest railway station in all of Europe. The current station was opened in 1931 and replaced the original station that opened in 1864.

Arriving in Milano Centrale? Explore the historical landmarks near the station for a day of exciting and interesting sightseeing. To see the historical landmarks at your leisure and without the burden of heavy bags, drop your bags in a luggage locker near Milano Centrale for safekeeping. Then, get to know the beauty of this wonderful city!

Duomo di Milano

The Duomo di Milano, or the Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of the Nativity of Saint Mary; the Milan Cathedral for short, is the main cathedral in Milan and is the seat of the Archbishop. This Gothic-style cathedral is an imposing building you can’t miss.

There is enough seating for 40,000 people inside the massive cathedral as it is one of the biggest Catholic churches in the entire world. The building is 302 feet wide and 515 feet long. Construction on the cathedral was started in 1386.

It sits on the spot where the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio once stood but was destroyed by a fire in 1075. The Duomo di Milano has an impressive statue of Bartholomew the Apostle, which stands right inside the front doors.

The cathedral also has one of the nails that were used during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This incredible artifact is only on display once a year, the Saturday that is closest to September 14th.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Spend an afternoon shopping at one of the oldest shopping malls in Italy! The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a major landmark in Milan and is located in the center of the city. It is named after Italy’s first king, Victor Emmanuel II.

Construction began in 1865 and was completed in 1877. From overhead, you can see the structure is shaped like a cross and is covered by a dome made of glass and iron. It is located between the Milan Cathedral and the Teatro alla Scala.

This four-story shopping center is home to some of the most illustrious and luxurious shops in Milan. Check the latest from Gucci, Prada, and Louis Vuitton, and then enjoy a delicious meal at one of the high-end restaurants including Café Biffi.

Teatro alla Scala

Originally named the Nuovo Regio Ducale Teatro alla Scala, the first opera house burned completely in 1776. The new Teatro alla Scala was rebuilt in 1778 and sits where the first Church of Santa Maria alla Scala once stood.

In 1943 the Teatro alla Scala was severely damaged during a bombing and was reconstructed after World War II ended. The opera house then closed its doors from 2002 to 2004 for extensive renovations and reopened in November 2004.

The opening performance in 1778 and again in 2004 was Europa riconosciuta, composed by Antonio Salieri. There have been several fabulous operas performed here including Giacomo Puccini’s Madame Butterfly and Verdi’s Nabucco.

You can take a tour of the Teatro alla Scala and get a behind-the-scenes look at the entire opera house or you can purchase tickets to a performance and experience an authentic Italian opera in one of the finest opera houses in Italy.

The Last Supper

This iconic mural painted in the late 15th century by Leonardo da Vinci can be viewed in the dining room of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. The Last Supper is one of the most recognizable paintings in the world.

Measuring 15 feet by 29 feet, the mural was created using tempera and oil paints and has withstood the test of time. The Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza was da Vinci’s patron and he commissioned the painting inside the convent.

Tickets are available to view The Last Supper, but you must follow strict rules to help in the preservation of this magnificent work of art. When in Milan, you do not want to miss the chance to see this mural in person.

Cimitero Monumentale

When you are near Milano Centrale, make sure you take the time to visit the Cimitero Monumentale, one of the largest cemeteries in Milan; the Cimitero Maggiore is the only other cemetery to rival the Cimitero Monumentale in size.

While it may seem morbid to visit a cemetery, the Cimitero Monumentale has basically become an open air museum filled with tombs with fantastic artistic detailing. The extravagant and ornate mausoleums are unbelievably beautiful.

The cemetery has a large number of Greek temples, Italian sculptures, obelisks, and even a replica of Trajan’s Column. It is also the final resting place of several renowned Italians including actors, athletes, musicians, and politicians.

While here, check out the sculpture that depicts the life and death of Jesus located on the Bernocchi family tomb. There are several sculptures of the Last Supper on the Campari family tomb and a rather interesting pyramid on the Bruni family tomb.

Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore

Located close to the medieval Ticino gate in Milan’s ring of canals, the Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore is one of the oldest churches in the city. Built during the fourth century by the Romans, the church has had to be rebuilt a number of times.

The church has been built using several large blocks that were harvested from other Roman sites making it a formidable looking church. Step inside and gaze at the Chapel of Saint Aquilino, complete with Byzantine mosaics from the fourth century.

There is an interesting crypt that can be accessed from the Chapel of Saint Aquilino.  See original artifacts that have survived through the years, including several Roman artifacts from a nearby amphitheater.

The courtyard has a statue of Constantine the Great who converted to Christianity, making him the first Roman emperor to do so. The Colonne di San Lorenzo with its 16 original columns sits in front of the church and dates back to the third century.

There are so many fascinating things to see when in Milan, especially near the Milano Centrale! Spend a day and check out several of the historical landmarks nearby for a fun and educational time learning about the history of the city.

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