Travel Guide: Milano / Charm of the Bourgeoisie
What to see and where to eat, drink and stay in Italy's fashion capital
Milan is a divisive destination. As Italy’s financial capital, many find it too marked by big business and large banks (which the old saying “for every church in Rome, there is a bank in Milan” is a reflection of). These travellers prefer either quainter towns (like Florence) or something more bombastic (think Hong Kong).
Then there are those who can’t get enough of the specific type of bourgeois elegance and refinery only found in Milan – the Milanese savoir-faire, wide variety of restaurants, and excellent shopping. These visitors yearn come here to experience the forefront of fashion, art, and Italian cuisine.
In 222 BC, the Romans named what is now Milan “Mediolanum”, meaning “central place”. This makes sense – Milan has a strategic location, close to Lake Garda and Lake Como, the Ligurian Riviera, and the south of France. Florence is only a few hours away by train, as is Venice.
Throughout the centuries, Milan has been coveted by many invading armies, which has benefited business and trade.
The wealth of Milan is expressed through the sumptuousness of its Gothic cathedral, which took a staggering five hundred years (1386–1810) to complete (and designed to impress German and French merchants). The cathedral was a favourite project for the ruling Visconti Family. After the Visconti clan lost power, the Sforza family seized reign, transforming Milan into a dukedom.
In 1805, Napoleon was crowned ruler of the short-lived Kingdom of Italy in Milan’s Duomo.
