Curious things to do in Milan
Author: Jools Stone
Home to fast fashion and slow food, Milan has more than its fair share of attractions, from the extravagant environs of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II to the football mecca that is the San Siro stadium. Make time though to discover some of the city’s less well trodden enclaves which are equally delightful, including bone chapels, rooftop terraces and tiny speakeasy bars.
1. Duomo
If you liked the Duomo, you’ll love its rooftop terrace.
Milan’s Duomo will likely be a port of call on any savvy traveller’s itinerary of course, but you can truly appreciate this Renaissance masterpiece from a fresh perspective by taking in the panoramic view from the cathedral’s rooftop, which you can access for a fee.
Top tip: To make the most of the view, go at sunset when the cityscape is beautifully bathed in the light of the golden hour.
2. Chapel
If you liked the morbid excesses of the Monumental Cemetery, you’ll love San Bernardino alle Ossa
Built in the shadow of the Duomo, this historic but unassuming chapel is home to an interior whose walls are festooned by thousands of skulls and bones, earning it the moniker of the ‘Milan bone chapel’. During the 13th Century the plague had claimed so many lives that the adjacent cemetery ran out of space, so a dedicated chapel was built to accommodate them all. This practice was not uncommon at the time as it served as a potent reminder of mortality, making it an important centre for pilgrims. The chapel has been restored and rebuilt several times in its history, most notably during the Baroque period when the structure was extended and more extravagant detailing added.
Top tip: It’s well worth checking out the nearby church Santa Maria Presso San Satiro, a remarkable piece of Renaissance architecture which features an impressive trompe-l’oeil apse designed by renowned artist Donato Bramante.
3. Fashion
If you liked the Prada Foundation, you’ll love the Palazzo Morando
It’s entirely fitting that a city so fixated on all things fashion would have multiple museums and galleries devoted to the subject. The Palazzo Morando is a fine example, containing as it does countless treasures of costumes, clothes and accessories dating from the 17th to 21st centuries.
The museum resides within a typical Milanese noble house overlooking the prime stretch of upscale shopping that is the Fashion Quadrilateral.
Top Tip: Don’t miss the faithfully reproduced apartment from the 18th Century, complete with antique furniture and costumes donated by the former residents of the palace.
5. Cool bars
If you enjoyed Aperitivo Hour, you’ll love BackDoor43
BackDoor43 is one of the world’s smallest bars and manages to cram a lot of character into its 43 square feet. The space can be rented at hourly intervals making it feel like your very own private club. Despite its diminutive size the bar comes well stocked with a wide range of beverages including some 60 rare whiskies.
Top tip: The night’s menu is designed for each individual party with a single bartender mixing speakeasy-style drinks on a tiny countertop complete with a camping stove.
6. Street scenes
If you liked the Quadrilateral of Silence, you’ll love exploring Via Abramo Lincoln.
Within what is also known as the garden or rainbow district lies a distinctive street in the heart of the city that somehow manages to fly under the radar. Via Abramo Lincoln is home to numerous colourful villas ripe for Instagram. The street was built in the late 19th Century by a workers’ cooperative to provide small affordable houses for its workers. Today it’s a riot of colour with its beauty further enhanced by flowering trees come spring.
Top Tip: Once you’re done exploring, indulge in some sweet treats served at Giacomo Pasticceria, which sells delicious cakes, miniature pastries, meringues, chocolate pralines and other morsels in a building designed to resemble a 19th Century perfumery.
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