Milano – A City of Continuing Surprises

Master of early Renaissance painting Leonardo da Vinci lived in Milan from 1482 – 1490. During his time in the city, he inspired the work of one Andrea Solario, brother of Cristoforo Solari. Both Andrea and Cristoforo worked in the Duomo of Milan and at the Certosa di Pavia, located twenty-five miles from Milan.

 

When I visit Milan, I see history seep from every corner. From the incredible interior art of the Duomo to the Last Supper by Leonardo in the Church of Santa Maria della Grazia, the city is full of the history of Renaissance art. The Brera, Milan’s magnificent home for their incredible collection of Renaissance and Baroque artists, is centrally located. I usually stay in the Brera neighborhood, as it offers easy access to the museum and historic sites of the city.

My favorite hotel in this area of Milan is the Hotel Milano Scala. Located just around the corner from the Castello Sforzesco and within walking distance of tram and Metropolitan stations, the hotel offers quiet, modern, clean rooms for a very reasonable price. One of my go-to favorite restaurants in this area of Milan is the Osteria di Brera. Located close to the above-mentioned hotel, at Fiori Chiari, 8, 20121 Milano Brera (✆ +39 02 89096628,) this lovely restaurant offers some of the freshest seafood available in Milan. With twenty-five years of experience, owner/chef Enrico Forti provides unending surprises at this wonderful restaurant. I strongly encourage reservations.

 

I cannot write an article about Milan without mentioning my favorite lake in the Lake Region, Lago Maggiore. Located an easy forty-five-minute train ride north of Milano’s Centrale station, the lakeside village of Stresa offers every convenience; from great local restaurants to easy ferry access to the Borromeo Islands, this is a wonderful day trip from Milan. I recommend that when you book your train reservations, you book on the Swiss based EC (EuroCity) trains as they are direct to Stresa. All the local trains, operated by Trenitalia, stop at eight local villages along the way and the trip takes far longer. A little farther north along the lake is another small lakeside village, Baveno. A series of frescoes, painted during the Renaissance, are protected in a loggia near the Roman era church on the Via Crucis; very much worth seeing.

 

Back in Milan? Explore the fascinating canals of the city in the Navigli neighborhood. Move beyond the most sought-after tourist sites and explore the area around the Palazzo della Ragione, which offers striking architecture — a photographer’s dream. The Mudec, Milan’s Museum of Contemporary Art also expands visitor’s perspectives about the art and history of a city that continues to inspire unique and inspirational contemporary art. Those whose interest lean to Italian fashion, textiles, and the history of an extraordinary empire should visit Silos and the museum of Armani. This collection, including sketches and interesting historical documents, offers fascinating glimpses into the creation of what is now a worldwide name for quality and style. Finally, for those who cannot get enough of Leonardo, visit the Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia (National Museum of Science and Technology). Some of Leonardo’s codices and other documents (translated into English for those who do not wish to struggle with the language) provide rare insights into the master’s genius.

Suffice it to say that there is plenty to explore and experience in Milano. If your future travels will bring you to this gorgeous city, please let us know. We will be happy to assist with hotel, restaurant, site tickets, and other arrangements to make your visit unforgettable.