Built in 1609, the palace of Cardinal Federico Borromeo has one of the world's richest libraries, and an art gallery founded on the collections of the Cardinal: works by Bernardino Luini ( Christ Child with a Lamb ), Raphael ( cartoon for School of..

The Duomo is adorned with no less than 135 extraordinarily intricate pinnacles and an impressive number of graceful, elegant white marble statues (2 245 in all). For a closer look at them, take the stairs up to the rooftops. At the summit, the "..

With its spires, pinnacles, gables and countless statues, this cathedral (begun in 1386 and not completed until 1809) is an unforgettable sight, especially when the afternoon sun shines on the white stone. Admire its apse, and head up to the rooftop ..

Forming a huge quadrilateral, this impressive castle was once home to the dukes of Milan (the Sforza) and now houses the municipal art collection, divided into various sections. Its masterpieces include the 14C funerary monument of Bernabò Visconti ..

After visiting the Jési collection dedicated to the great movements of the 20C (futurists, metaphysical art), there awaits the largest collection of Venetian paintings (outside Venice itself, of course!) represented by Bellini, Veronese, Mantegna and..

A magnificent example of Lombard Romanesque style, this basilica, founded by Saint Ambrose in the 4C, is preceded by a superb atrium. Two bell towers frame the façade, which is pierced with arches. Inside, a beautiful Romanesque-Byzantine ambo (pulpi..

Completed in 1877 (designed by Giuseppe Mengoni), this shopping gallery lies at the hub of Milan’s political and social life. Its two transverse thoroughfares cross under a glazed octagonal cupola 47m above the ground. Beyond lies Piazza della Scala.

Installed inside the royal palace built in the 18th C., it illustrates the various construction and restoration phases of the Duomo, and houses sculptures, tapestries and antique stained glasswork. You will also see a wooden scale model of the Duomo ..

This pink skyscraper (1656), an iconic symbol of Milan, was designed by architects Belgioioso, Peresutti and Rogers. The overhanging upper floors give this reinforced concrete tower its distinctive mushroom shape.

Undoubtedly the most prestigious opera house in the world, its simple exterior gives little idea as to the magnificence that awaits within, as visitors to the opera house museum will see. Built between 1776 and 1778, it accommodates 2 000 people in..

Today a university, Ca’ Grande was originally a hospital built on Francesco Sforza’s orders by Filarete in 1456 and subsequently remodelled several times, most notably by Guiniforte Solari. Its long brick façade on Via Festa del Perdono is enlivened ..

Among the collections (weapons, clocks , fabrics) of this museum, the famous Portraits of Luther and his wife by Lucas Cranach , a marvelous Portrait of a woman by Piero del Pollaiolo , a Virgin and Child by Botticelli over which many a Sa..

Founded in the 4th C. but restored later, it has managed to keep its original octagonal floor plan. A beautiful portico in front of the facade (16 Roman columns, a rare remain from Mediolanum), and a majestic interior surrounded with matron seats ..

Those in quest of the aristocratic refinement of the Belle Époque need look no further than this palace. Here Fausto and Giuseppe Baghatti Valsecchi created a decorative scheme in the Renaissance taste, mixing authentic pieces with high quality copie..

One of the largest churches in Milan after the Duomo stands on a pretty square near the Conservatorio di Musica. It was built in 1482 and its Baroque façade was added in the 18C. It is a veritable museum of works of art. A fine Last Supper by Gau..

Budding scientists and fans of Leonardo, here you will find models of the inventions imagined by the Tuscan artist. Several sections are dedicated to Astronomy, acoustics, Telecommunications, Chemistry, and two big halls cover transportation - by lan..

The famous Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci is here (painted on the walls of the monks' refectory), which rightly attracts visitors in their droves to this church, an absolute jewel completed by Bramante . The fresco has since May 1999 (after 21..

The Neoclassical Belgiojoso Bonaparte villa is home to this gallery which contains the 19C Collection, the Grassi Collection (work by Van Wittel, Longhi, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, Boccioni, Balla) and the Vismara Collection (20C Italian an..

Bernard de Clairvaux founded this abbey in 1135, giving it his name after having translated it into Italian. Built with bricks, it marks the beginning of the Gothic period in Italy. Decorated with white stones in the Cistercian way, the abbey is domi..

Begun in the early 17C, this church beautifully illustrates Milan’s Baroque style by its wealth of interior decoration, laden in marble, gilt and frescoes. Notice the pulpit and main altar and look out for the artwork by 18C Lombardy masters.