Highlights of Milan and the Lakes

Known as Italy’s economic powerhouse, Milan is a busy city of industry and finance, fashion houses and media empires. Milan is home to ancient churches and an impressive cultural heritage of important art galleries. The stunning lakes with their azure pools are only a short drive or train journey away where one can explore the many wonderful fishing villages, villas and laid back resorts.

The stunning Gothic cathedral that is Milan’s Duomo is the world’s biggest which took over 400 years to finish. Visitors here can marvel at the magnificent panoramic views from the roof and admire the intricate works that include more than three thousand statues, numerous stone pinnacles and flying buttresses.

Leonardos’s famous painting of the Last Supper is unfortunately in an advanced state of deterioration these days but that does not stop thousands of tourists visiting this incredible work of art which is one of the largest and most ingenious works of art by the ultimate renaissance man.

The Castello Sforzesco is located adjacent to the beautiful park and gardens known as Parco Sempione. This 15th century castle is not only home to collections of archaeological artifacts, tapestries and paintings by Mantegna and Giovanni Bellini, the building also houses sculptures that include the Rondanini Pieta which is Michelangelo’s final work of art.

The Pinacoteca di Brera is just a stone’s throw away from here which is situated just off Via Pontaccio down Via Brera and which is known as Northern Italy’s greatest painting gallery. Here, visitors to Milan can view masterpieces by Bellini, Mantegna, Piero della Francesca, Caravaggio and Raphael.

One of the oldest churches in Milan is the Sant Ambrogio which is situated to the west side of the city centre which was founded by the patron saint Ambrose in 379 who was also the city’s bishop. The church contains carvings and mosaics which date back to the 4th century and a visit here is highly recommended for any tourist in Milan.

The town of Bergamo and to the North east of Milan is also just a short drive away and if you have enough time on your trip to Milan it is well worth considering a visit to this small and charming town which has a sophisticated culture and where one can explore and enjoy the numerous chic boutiques, medieval streets, renaissance buildings and some wonderful Italian home cooking.

The town of Mantova is also worth a visit although this is situated a little further out from the city centre of Milan and just south of Lake Garda. Mantova consists of renaissance palaces which have decorated and designed by Giulio Romano and Mantegna. The town of Mantova is also the ancient seat of the Gonzaga dukes which is ringed on three sides by shallow lakes.

One of the major attractions for tourists in Milan is of course the lakes with the most popular being lake Como (Lago di Como), lake Garda (Lago di Garda) and lake Maggiore (Lago Maggiore). If you are on a short visit to Milan’s lakes then lake Maggiore’s Isole Borromee is highly recommended. These three verdant Islands include two islands that are home to ornate gardens and sumptuous villas that belong to the local ruling Borromeo clan and the third island which is still dominated by a fishing village.

The author of this article is Robert Blanco who specialises in writing airport guides including Malpensa Airport which also contains detailed information on Bergamo Airport and also Malpensa Airport Car Hire