About this experience
You will walk through the labyrinths of the most beautiful streets and explore the famous monuments of Milan from classical and unusual perspectives. You will learn about the intrigues of Sforza Castle and the fates of Milanese geniuses, uncover the secrets of mysterious frescoes and the mysteries of the Brera district. And also, you will hear about the traditions of La Scala and embark on a journey into the world of the legends of the Duomo.
What to Expect
Unusual Facts about Famous Symbols
I will tell you about the emergence and development of Milan and how the city is organized now. You will learn how the Ducal Castle of Sforza is connected to ancient Roman Jupiter, Emperor Diocletian, and the Moscow Kremlin. We will talk about palace secrets and intrigues, and woven into these tales will be the stories of two geniuses who worked in Milan - Leonardo da Vinci and Donato Bramante. You will also hear the sad story of a lady with a goiter and find out where the elephant on a mysterious 15th-century fresco came from.
The Uncharted Brera
In the most picturesque quarter of the city, you will get acquainted with the secrets of Brera Academy. You will learn an interesting history about the naked Napoleon in the center of the Brera Pinacoteca courtyard, see one of Italy's most beautiful and ancient libraries, and observe the everyday life of Milanese people. It will not be without spicy stories, as before the artists of Brera, it was a famous “red light district” throughout Milan.
Milan - City of Art
In the ancient basilica, you will inspect the largest fresco by Bergognone, and then enter a secret door and be transported 1600 years into the past. You will also have an unusual acquaintance with the La Scala Opera House. I will tell you how the theater's name is connected to the Scaliger dynasty, where the tradition of wearing a tailcoat came from, and what role gambling plays here.
Legends of the Duomo
And, of course, before you will appear in all their splendor, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and the Milan Cathedral. I will tell you where the most valuable and ancient part of the Duomo is and what message the builders encrypted in its stained glass windows. You will learn about the ingenious system by which marble was brought for the temple and which phrases from the era of its construction remain in the modern speech of Milanese people. You will also discover the treasures hidden right under your feet, where the “Dog House” was located, and hear a few medieval tales about its inhabitants.
We will say goodbye on the steps of the Milan Cathedral, and as a parting gift, I will give you my author's mini-guidebooks on the Duomo and the Brera Pinacoteca. After the walk, you will be able to visit them independently.
Organizational Details
This is a completely pedestrian walk without visiting museums and the Milan Cathedral.
