Milan Magic: Renaissance Art, Iconic Landmarks, and Pasta Galore
We are in MILAN! 🇮🇹 The excitement just hit—another country off the bucket list, and there’s so much to explore! We started the day bright and early, eager to catch a glimpse of The Last Supper on our tour.
Our journey began with a deep dive into the Renaissance era and a quick intro to the genius himself, Leonardo da Vinci. Skipping the line (perks of a tour!), we finally stood in front of The Last Supper—bigger than I expected and not super well-lit, but with a story that’s nothing short of legendary. During World War II, on the night of August 15, 1943, an Allied bombardment hit the church and the convent where the painting resides. Miraculously, the wall holding The Last Supper survived, thanks to sandbags that had been placed to protect it. It was surreal to be in the presence of such a historic piece of art.
Exploring Milan’s Streets & Landmarks 🏰
After our time with da Vinci’s masterpiece, we set off to explore central Milan with our guide. Here’s what we did:
Castello Sforzesco
A fortress in the heart of the city surrounded by a beautiful park. Built in the 14th century by Milan’s most influential family, the Sforzas, the castle now hosts important exhibitions and museums. The history here was rich, and the architecture was stunning.
Via Dante
Our guide led us down this famous street, lined with shops and cafes, until we reached Piazza dei Mercanti—once the most important medieval market area in Milan. The square was charming, with its old-world atmosphere and historical significance.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
We then entered this stunning 19th-century shopping arcade, a true symbol of Italian excellence. The architecture was beyond impressive, and it felt like stepping into a piece of history.
Piazza del Duomo
Finally, we arrived at the Duomo, Milan’s most iconic landmark and the third-largest cathedral in Europe. With over 5 million visitors each year, it’s easy to see why this place is so beloved.
Honorable mentions go to:
The Starbucks Reserve™ Roastery Milano Bathroom: Because Milan is not a public bathroom friendly city & this one was NICE (ty to our tour guide who told us it was the best in the city)
Piazza della Scala: Our tour concluded outside the La Scala Theatre, the temple of classical music in Milan. The grandeur of the building was evident, even from the outside, and you could feel the cultural significance it holds for the city.
Pasta, Duomo, and Downtime 🍝
After the tour, we hit the streets on our own, hunting down some pasta (because, duh, we’re in Italy!). We were pretty wiped out from all the walking, so we grabbed a quick bite before heading to the Duomo for our scheduled entry.
The Duomo is more than just a cathedral—it’s the heart of Milan. Standing in the city center, surrounded by the Galleria shopping arcade, La Scala, and several other churches and museums, it has defined Milan for centuries, and now we totally get why.
Construction of the Duomo has spanned over 600 years, and it’s big enough to hold 40,000 worshipers—basically the entire population of Milan when it was built. The Gothic architecture is breathtaking, with massive spires and vibrant stained glass windows that left us in awe. We explored the interior and then headed up to the rooftop, where we marveled at over 3,000 statues and the intricate details of the architecture. The entire structure is made from pinkish marble, sourced from a nearby quarry, making each area unique in its own way. The views of Milan from up there were absolutely worth the climb.
After our Duomo tour, we were pooped. We grabbed some gelato (because obviously) and headed back to our hotel to crash—tomorrow’s going to be a big day for us. Any guesses where we’re headed next?
Okay, I’ll spill the beans—we’re off to LAKE COMO & SWITZERLAND, the land of chocolate!