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Milan, city with the history
When we think of Milan nowadays, we think of fashion, delicious food, amusement and business; instead, today I would like to invite you to visit, by walking through centuries of history.
First of all there are a lot of hotels in Milan, it would be good to have one in the centre for our tour, but you are spoilt of choice. Milan hotels are really nice as the overall standard in Italy is very high, so it is easy to find one adapted to your budget.
We can begin at the symbol of the city: the cathedral in Piazza Duomo.
It was built in 1386 in the Gothic style, in the name of Saint Mary Nascent, the gold sculpture on the top represents this. It was consecrated in 1577 by Borromeo and several times it was restructured and then finally finished in 1965.
In the same time period, the Visconti family governed the city from the 14th to the middle of the 15th century. Then Sforza took power and ordered to construct the castle. It has a beautiful fountain just in front and inside you can find some temporary exhibitions. It is in line with the cathedral, this is to remind people that religious power is in the same degree as the kings power.
During this time, Leonardo da Vinci created one of the most important fresco paintings in history: L'ultima cena (The last supper). Not knowing that it would became the subject of an arguable romance in the 21st century. He painted it under the commission of Ludovico Sforza in church Santa Maria delle Grazie. This church was a Dominican convent, where Ludovico's wife was buried and it is close to the castle. Remember that you have to book your visit three months earlier for your tour in Milan.
Years later, in 1778, after French and Spanish domination, Austria took the power and the most important theatre in Milan was inaugurated: Teatro Alla Scala (it is at the end of the Gallery). It was built under the commission of Ferdinand of Austria-Este after the fire of the theatre Teatro Regio Ducal. In the 19th century this theatre was the opera house for the première of the most important musicians of all time, like Verdi, Rossini, and Bellini.
During Napoleons domination, the famous gallery Vittorio Emanuele II was constructed in 1861 and it links Piazza Duomo to Teatro alla Scala. It has the name of the first king of United Italy and it is completely covered by a double arcades of glass. Nowadays it is a fashion gallery that pays host to a big Christmas tree during the Noel period. In the middle on the floor an octagonal mosaic represents the Savoia armorial bearings: a bull. Tradition says that you have to turn yourself round three times on the bull.
At the end of Corso Buenos Aires there is Piazzale Loreto. Behind the skyscrapers, shops and offices, is very important area for world history: Mussolini was hung there after being killed, with his mate Clara Petacci.
A few years later (1969) Italy was invaded from a lead of communism and Brigate Rosse in Milan created a tragedy: a bomb exploded in Piazza Fontana (behind cathedral) into the Nation Agrarian Bank, causing 14 deaths and 88 people to get hurt.
After this tragic part of Milan, go to visit Velasca Tower (1954) that represents the modern architecture: it has a mushroom shape and it is named garter's skyscrapers.
After this instructive tour I think you now know lots about Milan, and you can leave your Milan accommodation or stay in order to explore other aspects of Milan.