All of us know very well that Milan is one of the Italian fashions and design capital of Europe, and also the famous Milan-Cathedral is located in this city, which is also known as Duomo. Also, the Teatro-alla-Scala Opera House is located in this city.
Here, in this write-up we are presenting few more fun-facts about Milan, that you need to know in order to get better understanding of the city
- The most prominent Europe’s opera house of Milan cannot be noticed easily
Teatro-alla-Scala has a seating capacity of 2,000 visitors and known as the best opera theatres and ballet of not only in Europe, but also in the whole world. It is a place for La-Scala-Theatre Ballet, La-Scala-Theatre Orchestra and La-Scala-Theatre Chorus.
In spite of that, you cannot expect a very fascinating view of this opera house from the street. There is no glamour to stop you, while you are in your tracks. It’s all magic concealed in quite a modest greyish-building in the square called piazza-della-Scala, which is facing a monument of Leonardo-Da-Vinci and city hall of Milan – palazzo Marino.
- Milan also used to be another Venice
Once there was a time when the channels of Milan used to connect lakes Como, Maggiore and the Ticino-river along with various other waterways and also the sea water. There were 5 channels inside the Milan city and also a circular-channel connecting the radial channels.
It took almost 700 years to construct the whole system between the twelfth and nineteenth centuries. However, the 1st proposal to shut the channels was done immediately after completion of the project. Finally, only in the twentieth century, the Naviglio Pavese, Naviglio-Grande and Naviglio-Martesana were finally left uncovered, while the rest of the water was put underground in order to give space for the automobile roads.
- Leonardo-da-Vinci was the first water-lock inventor of the Milanese channel
“CONCA” – “MITER GATE” the first water-lock was built in Milan during 1496 for compensating the differences in the level of water between the Naviglio-di-Martesana and circular channel. Leonardo da Vinci had conceived & designed it during 1482, when he first travelled to Milan and nowadays it’s one of the most common water-gates arrangements worldwide.
- The aperitivo is one of the Milanese tradition
An aperitivo is considered as Italian happy hour, but it is less about cheap-drinks and more about finger-food and conversation. Most of the bars will have an apertivo between 7 PM and 9 PM, which also includes buffet of finger-food and sandwiches, as you buy any drink.
- Madonnina is a Milan’s guardian
Though Milan’s patron saint is considered as St. Ambrogio, but the city is still believed to be protected by the Madonnina. One can see her statue atop Milan’s Cathedral.
In 1774, this statue was installed and ever since it has become the city’s symbol. As per tradition of the place, the statue of Madonnina should be place on the highest point of Milan. Once the tall Pirelli building of 127 meters was built, smaller replica of Madonnina was placed at the highest point of the region.
It was moved in 2010 to the Palazzo-Lombardia, at 161 m height and in 2015, similar copy was mounted on the Isozaki-Tower. This is now the tallest-rooftop in the Milan city.
- At Milan the world’s most-famous paintings is located
Leonardo-Da-Vinci had his well-known residence in Florence, but he also spent seventeen years in Milan and was involved in many of the city’s projects. He also invented many new machines and also made lots of painting.
Also pay a visit to the website http://www.tripindicator.com/milan-day-trips.html to know about day trips at Milan.
