Are You an Art Lover? Here’s Why Milan Should Be On Your Travel List

Milan is the glitzy capital of Northern Italy and is frequently touted as the place of the fashion houses, high-end shopping and the cosmopolitanism that the city radiates. However, in addition to its glamour, there is one more gem of the city, a city of art, history and creative genius. Milan is a place of old artisanship and new invention; of gothic cathedrals and glass towers, of Renaissance art and state-of-the-art installations.

To art lovers, Milan is not merely a place but it is an experience. Art breathes the streets of its cobblestone, the architecture of its buildings and its inhabitants. It seems that you are in front of the eternal The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, you are walking in some of the world-famous galleries, and you are watching the murals on the walls of the city: the city does not want you to miss seeing the art everywhere.

This is the reason why Milan must be on your top travel list in case you are enthusiastic about art, beauty, and cultural exploration.

1. Home to the Legendary ‘The Last Supper’ 

The Last Supper (Il Cenacolo) by Leonardo da Vinci can be considered one of the most famous pieces of Western art that cannot be visited without a visit to Milan. This masterpiece was painted in the wall of the refectory at the Santa Maria delle Grazie between 1495 and 1498, the moment when Christ reveals to his followers that one of his men will betray him.

The Last Supper has enthralled the visitors with its emotional turmoil and technical genius, despite centuries of time, wear and tear, and restoration. The expression of each of the apostles is the story of another, and it is a real scene of human feelings.

Trick: There is a limit to the number of visitors to see the fresco, so the tickets are sold weeks earlier. It is like standing before history when one is standing before it, calm, holy and memorable.

2. The Marvel of the Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano)

Had art attempted to assume an architectural appearance it would resemble the Duomo di Milano. The Duomo, which is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, towers above the center of the city; it is a masterpiece that has taken almost six centuries to be completed.

The Duomo is rich in statues (more than 3,400), spires, and carvings and is both a monument of faith and an exercise of human imagination. Internally, the stained-glass windows light up the area with Godly color narrating the Biblical stories in light and shadow.

The terrace roof top offers a panoramic view of the city (you can take a lift or climb up there) and you can see the city in its full glory of red rooftops, gleaming modern towers, and on a clear day even the snow-streaked Alps in the distance.

3. Brera Art Gallery (Pinacoteca di Brera)

The artistic Brera area has old-fashioned cobblestone streets, and flowered balconies, which will then take you to Pinacoteca di Brera, one of the most significant art galleries in Italy. This area was once a monastery and today it is a marvelous place that holds an incredible amount of the Italian Renaissance and Baroque artworks.

You will have the haunting realism of Caravaggio, the beauty of Raphael, the drama of Titian, and art of Piero della Francesca and Mantegna. Every room is a gateway into another period of the art of Italy.

In addition to its paintings, the gallery represents the soul of Milan: sophisticated, eternal and silently sure of the beauty. Once you are done sightseeing, go out of your room into the Brera neighborhood and have an espresso in one of the cafes with all the painters and poets.

4. Contemporary Art at Fondazione Prada 

The history of art of Milan does not end with the Renaissance it passes courageously into the modern age. Fondazione Prada is an organization created by the luxury fashion brand Prada and is a meeting place of contemporary creativity and experimentation.

The foundation is in an old gin-distillery that has been transformed into a building by Rem Koolhaas combining industrial minimalism with the avant-garde design. The interior consists of rotating exhibitions showcasing bold installations, digital art and immersive experiences by contemporary artists around the world.

Starting with the reflective Haunted House to the extreme gold tower which reflects sunlight in a sculpture of its own, each of the corners of Fondazione Prada defies perception. It is a place where fashion, architecture, and the modern art meet each other – the perfect representation of the innovative spirit of Milan.

5. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II: A Fusion of Art and Architecture 

Enter Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and you will know why even shopping is a form of art in Milan. The arcade is a massive, glass-domed 19th century construction that is credited with being one of the oldest in the world as well as the most attractive shopping gallery.

Look up and you will have elaborate mosaics, iron and glass ceiling and marble floors in beautiful geometric designs. The main octagonal dome is used to fill the area with natural light, transforming even the simple walk to a work of art.

When you are window-shopping Prada, or enjoying an espresso in the frescoed ceilings, or taking pictures of the light pouring in through the glass, the Galleria resembles a living museum, which honors the values of elegance, handicraft and the artistic DNA of Milan.

6. Vibrant Street Art Scene 

Milan is concerned with its classical tradition, but it is also open to both urban inventiveness. The street art culture in the city is getting strong, particularly in areas such as Isola, Navigli and Ticinese. In this case, whole building fronts act as canvas to the artists who use brightly colored murals to comment, joke, and hope.

Take a walk in Via Pontano, or the canals of Navigli and you will find some murals that blend politics, pop culture and poetry. Travelers wishing to see this vibrant aspect of Milan can take Street art tours to have an ideal mix of defiance and art that provides the city with its contemporary feel.

7. Art-Focused Events and Exhibitions 

The cultural life of Milan is loaded with the entire year of art events and shows that are visited by the fans and the art collectors worldwide.

Milan Design Week (Salone del Mobile): The largest design exhibition in the world is where the emphasis is on innovation and creativity. Whole quarters are converted into formal gardens.

MIART: An outstanding contemporary art fair, which connects modern art to the market, presenting galleries, installations and performances.

Fashion Week Exhibits: The temporary art shows are held in the city during the fashion season, as one of the fusion elements is to combine fashion with creativity.

In spring or fall, visiting Milan guarantees that you will never go home without filling your artistic stomach.

8. Rich Cultural Heritage 

On top of the well-known attractions, there are untold museums in Milan which add to its artistic character. Italian modernist masterpieces of the 20th century are available in the Museo del Novecento, close to the Duomo – works by Boccioni, Modigliani, and De Chirico.

In the meantime, the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology pays tribute to the geniuses of Italy by displaying artistic and scientific installations, such as the mechanical drawings of Da Vinci to the interactive science exhibitions.

A combination of these organizations demonstrates how Milan is a city that does not preserve but develops art.

Final Thoughts

Milan is not just a place to visit; it is that place that exhibits art to lovers of art. Inspiration and imagination are the elements of every corner of the inspiration of creative brushstrokes of da Vinci to the courageous creations of contemporary artists on the murals. The city is a place that commemorates both the traditional and the modern, and it is proof that art is not wrapped and framed on the walls but rather flourishes in the streets, in the buildings and in the beat of everyday life.

The next time you are making your plans to travel, do not think about Milan as the fashion capital of Italy. Consider it a work of art in motion, one that you have to walk into, take a closer look and fall in love.