milan Photos

MILAN is a UNESCO world heritage site, for its monuments.

Situated in the country with the highest number of monuments included in the world heritage (Italy), Milan is no exception when it comes to the beauty and value of its monuments. During the Renaissance it was one of the most important towns of the time, famous artists contributing to its grandeur and beauty, such as Leonardo da Vinci.

The Milan Cathedral is the world’s third largest one and it shelters the world’s largest collection of statues. Milano is also home to Sant’ Ambrogio Church - one of the oldest churches in the town, the Santa Maria delle Grazie Church, where Leonardo da Vinci’s famous fresco is, the Ambrosian Library, which also has drawings and sketches by Leonardo da Vinci, as well as many other monuments.

During the Napoleonic period, the town became the heart of lyrical opera. Mozart wrote three of his famous works here and many important composers first presented their works here: Verdi, Rossini, Donizetti. La Scala of Milan is a symbol all over the world and Milan continues to this day as an important venue for lyrical opera.

Founded around 400 BC, Milan has a long and eventful history. In 293 Emperor Diocletian declared it the capital of the Western Roman Empire. It is here that the famous Edict of 313 was pronounced, by which emperor Constantin conferred Christians their religious freedom. During the bubonic plague epidemic that swept across Europe in 1349, Milan was one of the fortunate few places that escaped.

Today, Milan is also the grand capital of fashion and design. This is where the famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is – considered the oldest shopping mall in the world.