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The city
Milan is rich in art, history and culture, and is the business, design and fashion centre of Italy.
The economic heart of the country, the city offers visitors an interesting blend of modern innovation and deep-rooted cultural tradition, and
Hotel Principe di Savoia's central location in the heart of Milan means the hotel is perfectly placed for visitors to discover all its intriguingly different aspects.
Known for its concentration of
designer shops and boutiques, Milan is also home to the world-famous
La Scala opera house, the magnificent Duomo and Leonardo da Vinci's
The Last Supper, all of which are within easy access from the hotel.
Milan's
fashion district features great designers' showrooms in Via Sant'Andrea, Via della Spiga, Via Gesù, Via Borgospesso, Via Santo Spirito, Via Verri and of course Via Montenapoleone. Important jewellery, design and furnishing showrooms can also be found here.
The Duomo
One of the largest churches in Europe and the symbol of Milan, its construction started in 1386 and ended in the late 19th century. It is made in white Candoglia marble, and characterised by 3400 statues and its fabulous stained-glass windows.
Such a huge monument requires endless attentions and restoring works; scaffolds are to be seen all the time around the Duomo. In Milanese dialect, "fabrica del domm" (Duomo's factory) is an expression used to indicate lenghty and somewhat complicated operations.
Teatro alla Scala
One of the world's most famous opera houses, owes its name to Santa Maria della Scala, the 1381 church it was built upon. The traditional opening night of the opera season always takes place on 7th December, feast of Sant'Ambrogio, patron saint of Milan.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele
A wonderful structure with a glass roof, it offers visitors a unique opportunity to visit its traditional cafes, bars, bookshops and the legendary Prada boutique. It connects the Duomo with the famous opera house, La Scala, and is one of the most prestigious shopping arcades in Italy.
Poldi-Pezzoli Museum
Formerly the abode of Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli, this magic "house-museum" contains a precious private collection started in 1881 featuring paintings, sculptures, watches, glass works and textiles, weapons and armour from ancient Roman times to the 18th century. It is now home of a research institute.
Brera
This is one of the most charming areas in the old part of Milan, with its original shops, art galleries, street painters and antiques stores. During the 50s and 60s, the district became a favourite gathering place for artists of the Brera Academy of Fine Arts. Today this area is still renowned for its bars, clubs, restaurants and nightlife.
Pinacoteca of Brera
The Brera Art Gallery holds one of Italy's most important art collections, featuring masterpieces by leading Italian artists from the 13th to the 20th century including Raphael, Mantegna, Piero della Francesca and Caravaggio. The Pinacoteca is housed in a beautiful baroque palazzo dating back to the 17th century, which also contains the Biblioteca Braidense and Academy of Fine Arts.
Castello Sforzesco
Built in 1368 as a fortress by Galeazzo II Visconti, the Sforza Castle was enlarged during the 14th century by Gian Galeazzo. Later Filippo Maria transformed it into a splendid ducal palace. Francesco Sforza, who became Lord of Milan in 1450, together with his son Lodovico il Moro, turned it into one of the most magnificent Italian Renaissance courts. Napoleon later built the imposing boulevard leading from the Castle's Sempione park to the Arco della Pace, raised in resemblance of the Arc de Triomphe.
The castle features a library, various collections (including Egyptian mummies!) and a few frescoes by Leonardo da Vinci.
The Last Supper
One of Leonardo's most famous works of art, also know as "Il Cenacolo". Da Vinci had experimented a type of painting, but already in 1556 Arts biographer Giorgio Vasari noticed it was starting to fade. The passing of time and the bombings of 1943 did not help protect it. The refectory containing this fresco can now be accessed only by appointment, and by a limited number of visitors.
Discover Milan
Come and see our special offer, with complimentary entrance to Milan's arts collections.