Top 17 Facts about the city of Milan

Top 17 Facts about the city of Milan

Image: Pixabay

The city of Milan is one of the oldest cities in the world; it was built in 600 BC and its Duomo –Milan Cathedral, took over 500 years to build! Milan was declared the capital of the Kingdom after Napoleon settled there and was named king; at the Milan Cathedral in 1805.

Here are some very interesting facts about the second-largest city in the country of Italy!

1. Milan has the wealthiest city in Italy

Italy was the hub of the Renaissance period in history, which makes it home to some of the best things we know today. The renaissance period started because people in Italy were wealthy enough to afford and spend money on such luxury as art and music. In Italy, Milan is considered one of the wealthiest of all places in the country, and the inhabitants are known to be the wealthiest as well. 

It is also the second-largest in the country.

2. Home to the largest opera house in the world

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Are you an opera fan? The La Scala is a magnificent building, the largest opera houses on the planet; and it is located in Milan! While the exterior is not as appealing, the interior is amazing, built with class; you need to dress elegantly during the gala nights! The opera house attracts artists, musicians, and events from all around the world.  

The opera house, which also has a museum, can house up to 2000 people at a time!

3. Milan was a floating city 

Image: Wikimedia Commos

Rome is known as the city n water, but did you know that Milan was also a floating city. There were five channels connected to Lake Maggiore and Lake Como as well as the Ticino River. the channels took about 700 years to complete and surprisingly, the city decided to close the channels soon after completion with Naviglio Martesana, Pavese, and Grande being retained and space was given for roads to be used by vehicles. 

4. Do you need luck? 

Image: Wikimedia Commons

There is a good luck bull in Milan which will bring you lots of good luck, as believed by many! But there is a twist when you visit the gallery, there is a picture of a bull on the ground which, believe it or not, you will need to step on its private part and twirl on it three times so that you can get your good luck. Don’t worry about it being weird, lots of people do that all the time!

5. Has an amazing tram system 

The Milan tram system, yes the yellow tram system is one of the most advanced in Eastern Europe. The first train system was constructed between 1912 and 1931, and the electric system was installed in 1938, but the first tram in the city, which was horsedrawn first operated in the city in 1876, and two years later, the steam-powered tram was introduced. If you want to experience this beautiful tram system, get yourself a MilanoCard, and enjoy the trams for free!

6. Did someone say football?

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Football, or soccer to some, has its home in Rome. I mean two of the most famous and successful football clubs have a home there; Inter and Milan. 

7. Milan’s symbol is a serpent 

Legend says that during the middle ages, a serpent used to roam the city and it ould even feed on children, then, the Visconti Family, one of the wealthiest families in the country at the time killed it saving the city. The city’s symbol now is Biscione- a serpent with a child in its mouth and, it wears a crown!

8. Home of skyscrapers

Image: Wikimedia Commons

Milan is the home of the tallest buildings in the whole of Italy. Rome has only three buildings over 100 meters high! The Pirelli Tower, a 124.1-meter-tall building was built in 1956, after the devastating World War II which ravaged the city. Others include the Allianz Towers, the Unicredit Tower, the stunning Bosco Verticale, and Solaria Tower are just some of the few buildings that tower the skies in Italy. 

9. Home of ‘The Last Supper’

Image: Wikipedia

Image: Wikimedia Commons

I bet you know the famous painting by the famous artist and painter Leonardo da Vinci! The original painting is housed in the Santa Maria Delle Grazie church and is painted on the wall of what was the monastery’s dining hall! You want to see that!

10. Enjoy Aperitivo

Every evening, cafes and bars in Milan have a food spread, full of all sorts of food. You just need to buy yourself a drink and you get to enjoy complimentary amazing finger food!

11. ‘Mediterranean’

What is in a name? Have you ever wondered what city names mean? Well, since we are in Milan, let us see what the name Milan means. The city was named Mediolanum by the Romans which in Latin means the Mediterranean.

12. World War II attacks

Milan Bombing -WWII
Image: Wikipedia

During World War II, Milan has some of the most bombings since it was bombed all the time! As an industrial and commercial hub, Milan became a target in the war. It was the city that had the most bombings in not only Northern Italy but one of the most bombed in the country. 

13. Castello Sforzesco 

Image: Wikimedia Commons

The Milanese Castle was originally constructed in the 15th Century by Francesco Sforzesco, the Duke of Milan. The thing is, the exterior was built in the 20th Century by Luca Beltrami but the interior still houses Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo’s work as well as a musical instrument museum!

14. The French

Image: Wikimedia Commons

When in Milan, check out the Arco Della Pace Square. The square was constructed as a tribute to Napoleon; that was until the French were defeated and the sculptures of the horses were turned to show their backs to France! Mmmh!

15. No one in August! 

If you want cool photos in hot weather, you might need to plan your trip to Milan around August when the residences have all gone to look for cool beaches. Because of the very hot weather in August, most places are closed, including shops and restaurants. 

16. Milan’s guardian

Image: Wikimedia Commons

At the top of the Milan Cathedral is the statue of Madonnina. The statue became a symbol of the city when it was put up in 1774. Madonnina has been moved to several buildings over time since no building is supposed to be taller than her; in 1950 a replica was placed on top of the newly constructed Pirelli Building as well and on top of Palazzo Lombardi and in 2015, a smaller replica was placed on top of the Isozaki Tower. 

17. A day dedicated to Milan

December 7th is National Milan Day, also known as Feast of St Ambrose. On these days, Milan residents have a fair where they enjoy food in stalls, antiques, and other festivities. During this day, Milan La Scapa Opera season is also opened!