MILANO, ITALIA

April 19
After arriving in Bergamo from Marrakech we decided to drive into Milan centro for the afternoon. PJ had hopped onto the train earlier and met us at the train station before we headed out to check out the Duomo and the galleria.

I have been to Milan several times but mainly just for work. It was nice to finally be able to climb the Duomo di Milano and walk along the roof. The Duomo di Milano is Italy's largest Gothic cathedral and is the fifth largest Christian cathedral in the world. Starting in 1386 the construction took approx. six centuries to be completed.

The original site held the basilicas of Santa Maria Maggiore and Santa Tecia. At the beginning of the 17th century a new facade was built under the supervision of Federico Borromeo by Francesco Maria Richini and Fabio Mangone. In 1638 five portals and two middle windows were added. In 1649 more changes occurred under a new architect, Carlo Buzzi. He changed the facade so that it would fit the Gothic style that was originally intended for the cathedral. He also included details such as the Gothic pilasters and the two large belfries.  

The facade was then demolished in 1682. It was Napoleon Bonaparte who insisted that the facade be completed before he was to be crowned King of Italy. He paid all expenses and it took seven years to build. The original Buzzi vision was respected by the new architect, Francesco Soave, but he did add some new Gothic elements to the upper windows. This is why there is a statue of Napoleon on the top of one of the spires. He was also crowned king inside of this cathedral.

Currently there is a contemporary art exhibit by Tony Cragg on the roof of the cathedral. 

Torre Velasca in the distance [by BBPR]

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is located next to the Duomo in Milano centro. A design competition was held in 1860. The Bolognese architect Giuseppe Mengoni won and the first stones were laid in March of 1865 by King Victor Emmanuel II. It was opened in 1867, but work continued for another ten years. The day before its completion on December of 1877 Mengoni fell to his death from the top of the triumphal arch. 

The longer walkway is 196 meters long, and the shorter one is 105.5 meters [643 x 346 feet]. There is an octagonal central piazza which is covered by a forty-seven meter high and thirty-six meter wide glass dome. 

Milans central station is Italy's second largest station in terms of size and traffic volume. The original was built in 1864 in the Art Nouveau style but it was deemed too small and modest and so a competition was launched in 1906. The winning entry was by Arrigo Cantoni in the neoclassical style, but this too was not fully liked, and a new competition was held. This time Ulisse Stacchini's design was chosen.

The current facade is 207 meters long and topped with a winged horse statue.