UNA GITA A MILANO ! (A trip to Milan)

Milan's iconic 'Duomo'

Yesterday was a day that I've been looking forward to for a long time- a trip to MILANO! It's around half an hour north of Pavia by train- so really close! and it costs only €3.75 one way! Mum and I set off from the flat around 9 am to walk the few minutes to the train station where we were meeting Lizi, and shortly after we were on the train heading to Italy's 2nd largest city. On arrival it was very straight-forward to find the metro station in 'Milano Stazione Centrale' and we bought 3 all-day passes for €4.50 each which allowed us unlimited travel by metro, tram and bus in the city. After a few stops on the tube, we exited at 'Duomo' which is the stop for the main cathedral of Milan. As we climbed up the stairs out of the tube station we got our first view of Milan, and possibly the greatest view of the whole city- the Duomo. The 'Piazza del Duomo' is certainly the focal point of central Milan, and standing on the piazza is the iconc 'Duomo' which I learnt is the world's largest Gothic cathedral. In my guide book it states that construction began in 1386 and didn't finish until 1813! That's an incredible 427 years to construct it!

When we arrived in Milan it was mid-morning so the Piazza del Duomo wasn't illuminated by the sun, so instead we decided to go and see some of the other sights of the city before returning to the Piazza in the afternoon to take photos. Just off the north of the Piazza del Duomo was the 'Galleria Vittorio Emanuele 11' which is a glass gallery designed in 1865 as a covered walkway between the Piazza del Duomo and the Piazza della Scala. It is full of expensive classy shops such as the 80 year old Prada shop, and a Louis Vuitton which Lizi and I couldn't resist getting a photo in front of!

The 'Galleria Vittorio Emanuele 11'

Inside the Galleries

Lizi and I infront of the Louis Vuitton shop!

We then decided to walk the short distance north-west to see the 'Castello Sforzesco' (Fortified castle) which is a large red-brick Renaissance castle. Inside are many different museums, but given that we were pushed for time, we just decided to just admire the outside! There was a lovely fountain as well, and a pretty rainbow could be seen from the center as it was such a sunny day!

The castle.

Lizi and me by the fountain outside the castle

Another lovely shot of the fountain and the castle

Mum and Me!

By the time we had finished taking photos at the castle, it was around midday, so we headed back towards the 'Piazza del Duomo' to sit and enjoy the Piazza. It was unusually busy as it was the last day of the 'Carnevale Ambrosiano Milano' (Carnival) and all of the children were dressed up and everyone was throwing confetti and silly string about!- by the early evening the entire centre of the city was covered in a pretty carpet of confetti- I'm glad though that I'm not the one to clear it up! We then went inside the Duomo for a quick look around as it was free! The inside was magnificent- the sheer dimensions of the building were incredible and I especially liked all of the stained glass windows. After a look around we decided to climb the 250 stairs to the rooftop of the cathedral where there were some panoramic views of the city. It was so hot up there with the sun beating down on the roof that a lot of people were soaking up the suns rays wearing only tee-shirts and it is only February! Lizi and I sunbathed for around an hour whilst Mum wandered around the roof looking at the views and taking photos!

Inside the Duomo

Another shot from inside the Duomo showing the extensive size of the interior

Lizi and me on our way up to the rooftop!

Lizi and me on the roof

The view of the 'Piazza del Duomo' from the rooftop of the Duomo

Some of the spires of the Duomo

Lizi and me enjoying a spot of sunbathing!

After our sunbathing on the rooftop of the Duomo, we were all pretty peckish, so we went wandering in search of a nice restaurant with some outdoor tables. We soon found one on the shopping street of Via Dante, and had a table on the terrace outside. Mum ordered a lasagne, and Lizi and I shared a mozzarella and tomato pizza and a small baguette. Next on the trip was finding the 'Santa Maria delle Grazie' church where Leonardo da Vinci's 'The last supper' mural lives. We knew that Mum probably wouln't get to see the painting as there is at least a month waiting list, but we still went to see as the guide book mentioned that there are sometimes cancellations. Mum was out of luck, however we did get to see the lovely terracotta-and-brick church. 

Lizi and me in front of the Duomo

The crowds on the Piazza del Duomo

Via Dante

The church of  'Santa Maria delle Grazie'

After seeing the church, we had one more important area of Milan to visit which was the 'Giardini Pubblici' (Public gardens). Known as Milan's most attractive park, it is a lovely area in which to take a break from the busy streets of the centre. It is a large area filled with trees, a lake and a children's playground and it was very busy when we went with hundreds of people enjoying the last of the sun's rays, reading, walking and dog walking. 

The 'Giardini Pubblici'

Another view inside the park

A lovely place to stroll the afternoon away in the sun in Milan!

I think that's about it from my first trip to Milano. It was a really great day out, and I think Mum enjoyed it too! Lizi and I are going to return in a few weeks for some shopping time, and hopefully to see two of our friends who are in Turin for their second semester of Erasmus. Mum and I are now off to the town of Cremona for the day which is about an hour east of Pavia by train- quite close to Verona. The guide-book claims that it is a charming medieval town much like Pavia, and has an impressive Duomo, Piazza and Tower to see. I'll be back soon with more Italian Erasmus adventures! BACIIIIII (kisses!) xxx