| |
In Milan and surrounding areas
Passport offers reservation for cultural groups, religious groups, disabled people, single persons, couples, large or small families, children with parents, senior citizens in a large selection of hotels of all grades in a large selection of hotels of all grades: de luxe, 4star first class, 3star second class, 2star economy, 1star. Accommodation in single, double, triple, four bedded rooms, family rooms, junior suites, royal suites, honeymoon suites, connecting rooms, dependence, annexe., duplex. Rome offers a variety of attractions to the modern discerning traveller.
Rooms with: air-conditioning, balconies, broadband, TV, satellite TV, pay TV, mini bar, radio, room service, sound-proofed, no smoking rooms, ladies floors, direct dial telephones, mini safe, Jacuzzi, hairdryer, trousers press, Credit Cards accepted, Hotel safe. Some rooms suitable for disabled people.
Night porters, baby-sitting services, secretarial service, Transfers arranged, car rental, sightseeing arranged, laundry service, table tennis.
Restaurant, bar, American bar, coffee shop, lounge, piano bar, air conditioning in public rooms, meeting rooms, conference rooms exhibition rooms, lifts, hairdresser, boutique, billiards, TV room, games room, gymnasium, fitness room, parking, garage.
Milan is considered the main and most inhabited city of Italy located in the plains of Lombardy. The city is one of the world's major commercial and financial centers, and one of the wealthiest cities in the European Union. Milan is one of the world capitals of fashion and design. Indeed the English word milliner is derived from the name of the city. The Lombard metropolis is famous for fashion and shops Via Montenapoleone the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in the Piazza Duomo, reputed to be the world's oldest shopping mall. Another famed Milanese product is the traditional Panettone. Milan is also famous for the Alfa Romeo motorcar and for its silk production which was span in the nearby city of Como on the lake of Como. Milan is located in the centre of the Padan Valley, the valley of the river Po the longest in Italy and it dominates Northern Italy. Milan is close to the Alps but is also blessed with the vicinity of the most famous lakes with their well known resorts: the lake of Como offers: Bellagio, Cadenabbia, Cernobbio Erba Laglio Menaggio Tremezzo Varenna; the Lake Maggiore has Baveno Belgirate Cannobbio Meina Pallanza Verbania and the very famous Stresa. Also close by are the small lakes of Orta with Orta San Giulio and the lake of Iseo with Lovere. All the lakes also offer many more minor localities all by the lake shores. Some information about Milan
The Duomo, or cathedral, has become the symbol of the city. One of the largest churches in Europe, it was built in Candoglia marble: work started in 1386 and ended five centuries later, in the late 19th century, when the spires were completed. In 1966, the last bronze portal on the main facade was installed. Apart from its imposing structure, best appreciated from inside, it is also fascinating for its sculpted decoration including over 3,400 statues and splendid stained glass. Built on the site of the preceding church of Santa Maria Maggiore, the cathedral has five naves, is 158 metres long, 93 metres wide at the transept, and its tallest spire reaches a height of 108 metres. Piazza Duomo
It is the most important Italian example of the International Gothic style, and it is unique for its combination of Lombard and northern?European characteristics. In fact, in the early stages of its construction, architects from France and Germany worked alongside their Lombard counterparts. The protracted duration of construction was due both to problems of finance, often solved by generous donations from the people of Milan, and of statics, in particular as regards the dome, built in 1490 after consultations with many artists, including Leonardo da Vinci. Problems of style can be seen on the façade, that includes a certain variety of elements, such as the classical windows and the Neo Gothic cornice. Inside, the presbytery, rebuilt in the second half of the 16th century, is particularly interesting: The sacred furnishings (altars, pulpits, organs and choir) form a harmonious complex in line with the doctrines established by the Council of Trent. At the top of the apse's vaulted roof is the relic known as the Sacred Nail of the Cross which, on the second Sunday in September, is taken by the Archbishop using a strange cloud shaped lift, and exhibited to the public for two days. Outside, the imposing volumes of the building are crowned by the main spire with the famous Madonnina, a statue in gilded copper, 4 metres in height, made in 1774. Those interested in learning more about the cathedral can visit the Museo del Duomo, cathedral museum. You can climb up to the roof of the cathedral, from where on fine days you will enjoy views over the city and the Alps
Corso Vittorio Emanuele is Milan's "high street": now a pedestrian precinct, it is a popular meeting place for the people of Milan and visitors to the city, with bars and their open?air tables. Major cinemas, bookshops and fashion shops can be found along the "Corso".
Piazza San Babila
This marks the start of the classic shopping itinerary that continues in piazza San Babila, a square surrounded by post?war architecture in the midst of which survives the ancient Romanesque church dedicated to San Babila. The Piazza also includes the theatres Teatro Nuovo and Teatro San Babila.
The Fashion District
The attractive street via Bagutta, home to the traditional open?air art exhibition in October and April, leads to the heart of the high fashion district. The great stylists have their showrooms in via S. Andrea, via della Spiga, via Gesù, via Borgospesso, via Santo Spirito, via Verri and of course in via Montenapoleone. Important jewellery shops, and design and furnishing showrooms, can also be found here. This district is one of the most elegant and refined parts of the city from the architectural point of view, because it has preserved the fascination of 19th century Milan, with its Neoclassical "palazzi" such as Palazzo Melzi di Cusano, via Montenapoleone 18, and Palazzo Taverna, at number 2 of the same street. At via Santo Spirito, number 10, there is the home, now a museum, of the Bagatti Valsecchi family, with its splendid Renaissance interiors.
Via Manzoni
Via Manzoni is another historic, elegant street, with its famous jewelleries, antique shops and banks. At the corner of Via Crocerossa, there is the Grand Hotel et de Milan, where Giuseppe Verdi stayed and died. Next to the hotel, in via Crocerossa, there is a monument designed by the architect Aldo Rossi, commemorating Sandro Pertini. Further up, towards piazza Cavour, at numbers 39 and 41 of via Manzoni is the long façade of Palazzo Borromeo d'Adda, in Neoclassical style, while on the other side there is the Baroque façade of Palazzo Gallarati Scotti and the church of San Francesco di Paola, also Baroque in style. Nearby is Teatro Manzoni, a theatre in which a cycle of classical music concerts is held on Sunday mornings. The entrance of the theatre is in the smart Galleria Manzoni. Returning towards piazza Scala, at number 12 another fascinating private "palazzo" is now home to Museo Poldi Pezzoli, a museum named after the building's original owner. In this elegant example of a city residence, Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli's collections are exhibited.
Via Morone, Piazza Belgioioso
Next to the museum, via Morone leads to the elegant square piazza Belgioioso, with the imposing Palazzo Belgioioso built in Neoclassical style by the architect Piermarini. On the corner with Via Morone is the house where Alessandro Manzoni lived: it is now a museum, the Museo Manzoniano, dedicated to this writer. Leaving piazza Belgioioso, you will see the building known as Casa degli Omenoni, built in 1500 by sculptor Leone Leoni: he personalized his home with the large male statues that support the balcony.
Piazza Meda
In piazza Meda there is a large sculpture in bronze by Arnaldo Pomodoro, and, on the corner with via Case Rotte, the curving façade of the Chase Manhattan Bank, built by Studio BBPR (Banfi/Belgioioso/Peressuti/Rogers).
Piazza S. Fedele
Via Case Rotte opens into the small square named piazza San Fedele, with its two important 16th century buildings, the church of San Fedele, built in 1569 in the disciplined, severe architecture typical of Jesuit churches. Palazzo Marino, whose construction began in 1558, designed by Galeazzo Alessi for the wealthy tax?collector Tomaso Marino, is a masterpiece of Renaissance civic architecture, and it is now the seat of the municipal government.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele
To return to piazza Duomo, take Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, built by Giuseppe Mengoni from 1865 to 1877, one of the largest and most prestigious arcades in Italy, with its old caf,s, bars, bookshops, and the renowned Savini restaurant.
Piazza Mercanti
Leaving the Gallery towards via Silvio Pellico and continuing along via Santa Margherita, you reach via Mercanti with its attractive, like named "piazzetta", the administrative and political centre of Medieval Milan. Built from 1228 on, in the form of an enclosed quadrilateral, the piazza originally included Palazzo dei Giureconsulti that was separated from the rest of the complex when via dei Mercanti was opened in 1867-1878. The buildings forming this piazza include Palazzo della Ragione, built in 1233 with a large ground?floor portico, originally seat of the city's government and the law courts, and now an exhibition venue; Palazzo degli Osii, 1316; and Palazzo delle Scuole Palatine, 1644 -1645. The itinerary ends in Piazza Duomo.
What's been said about Milan
Giorgio Armani: I live and work in Milan and I find it a respectful city. I think of Milan as an European city where theatre and cinemas are, events and international happenings take place and trade fairs occur.
Milan at that time was a conglomerate of many areas where, especially in the centre, everyday life and customs were similar to those of a village. The Milanese exciting vitality made the city quickly develop into the nowadays metropolis whose positive attitude did not became cynicism or arrogance.
When away: I miss the Milanese privacy and secrecy. These virtues can be best appreciated visiting the city beautiful courtyards and backyards, its beautiful palaces and marvellous industrial archaeology of Ansaldo and Bicocca which contains also the new Opera House.I miss the monumental architecture of Stazione Centrale ( the staircase and the sculptures) and the modern design of Triennale palace. I must mention the most notable of the city's palaces: Palazzo di Brera whose construction dates from the Napoleonic era and that I like very much.
Suggestions: I If I was a tourist I wouldn't miss the Poldi Pezzoli museum that contains a fine collection of art. I would visit Bramante's principal Milanese buildings Sta.Maria delle Grazie and Sta.Maria presso S.Satiro whose architectural idea of harmony and equilibrium reflects Bramante's design principles that are called the High Renaissance. I would visit Leonardo da Vinci's fresco the "Last supper" in the former refectory of Sta.Maria delle Grazie and the uncompleted masterpiece Pietà Rondanini at Castello Sforzesco. I would eventually visit Sant'Ambrogio that is so important for the Milanese Ambrosian rite.
On Milan & fashion being the same thing: I would say so, but fashion is not only made of sophisticated collections in beautiful shop windows. Milanese can be proud of fashion related activities but today fashion is mostly what people wear in everyday life and to me it is individuality and character that people walking down the streets communicates. Milan is a city to discover and rediscover.
Leonardo Da Vinci 1482 sort of said:
I first arrived in Milan in 1482 , and that was one of city's moments of major wealth. But soon the Duchy of Milan fell into France hands and two years later 50.000 persons died of plague. Milanese living conditions were poor at that time so I designed a new city development plan. It included raised houses for a better hygiene and an underneath canal system for goods transport. In this period Il Moro's court was famous all around Europe for organizing pageants. To welcome Gian Galeazzo Sforza's bride Isabella d'Aragona, I designed at the Castello Sforzesco in Milan the "feast in paradise" with spectacular costumes, starry skies and rotating planets.
On the Last Supper in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie:
I was passionate in any work I was commissioned to do but for someone my precision and care were too slow. While painting the "Last Supper" in the monastery of Sta. Maria delle Grazie refectory, prior came to check my work and got upset by what he considered an endless painting. I was working at my leisure: sometimes painting all day hedless of eating and drinking, sometimes not working at all. Prior was so upset that complained about my work with Ludovico il Moro who asked me the reason of my delay. I answered I couldn't find models to draw the two last heads: Christ's whose grace was too celestial for human being and Judas'. Apostle's head needed an impersonal model, and I said to Ludovico il Moro I would take inspiration from an indiscreet and inopportune prior. I eventually gained peace from the prior.
The most famous painting is the "Last Supper" in the refectory of the monastery of Sta.Maria delle Grazie. Many of my drawings and notebooks are collected in the Codice Trivulziano in the Biblioteca Trivulziana at the Castello Sforzesco. A series of 1750 drawings have been bound into a volume called Codice Atlantico which was bequeathed to the Biblioteca Ambrosiana of Milan and which contains Milan's development plan. My decoration of the Sala delle Asse in the Castello Sforzesco at Milan is also famous. Milanese dedicated to me a monument in Piazza della Scala as well as the Milan National Museum of Science and Technology.
How Milano thanked Leonardo:
The most beautiful tribute is the building of the Sforza monument in 1999 in front of S.Siro stadium. The monument envisages a walking horse, the biggest in the world, whose project I realised in 1493 in clay. Aproximately 70 tons of bronze would have needed to realize the monument but the bronze was eventually employed to build guns for Ferrara's defence against French. Louis XII troops destroied the clay model and my drawings containing the study for the statue were too fragmentary to build it. Throught a meticulous study an equipe of experts built the monument on the base of my drawings and this was an excellent tribute to me.
Giuseppe Verdi, Milan's original great composer:
My father was a poor innkeeper and grocer and my mother a spinner. At the church of Le Roncole I learnt to play the organ when I was a child. My love for music brought me to Milan for more systematic study. I was examined at the conservatory but rejected: "his hand was technically wrong". Neverthless I was advised to study and to learn more about technique
His first Operas at La Scala:
The first opera that I wrote was produced at the Milan Scala when I was twenty-three. That was Oberto, Conte di San Bonifacio and it had no great immediate success. Nabucco was produced at the Scala as well as I Lombardi alla prima crociata, Falstaff and Requiem, performed in memory of Alessandro Manzoni.
His relationship with the City:
I loved listening to Milan's sound and I derived inspiration from it. When I was living at Milan's Hotel et de Milan I heard a chimney-sweep hum, a bit sad. I derived inspiration from it to write La Traviata leichtmotif
How Milan repaid Verdi: Milanese always repaid my love for the city. On February 5, 1887, when Othello was produced in Milan, I became honorary citizen. A statue in my honour was built in Piazza Buonarroti, in front of the composers retirement house that I founded in 1899. Not to disturb me, Milanese covered with straw via Manzoni where I was spending my last days at the Hotel et de Milan. Everybody could be aware of my health from the health bulletin stick up at the hotel entrance. La Domenica del Corriere newspaper front cover was dedicated to my health. Giuseppe Verdi conservatory is another important tribute the city gave me. The conservatory has two concert hall for chamber, symphonic and choral music, a library with 35.000 books and 460.000 music writings. It also contains Mozart's, Rossini's, Donizetti's, Bellini's and my own manuscripts. The Milan Scala Museum collects remains of the theatre history, among those: musical instruments, portraits, singers composers and conductors' busts and memorabilia of my person.
The city paid the most touching tribute to me in 1901 when I died. Corso Vercelli was plunged in a deep and solemn silence, someone had started to climb trees and in a while no branch was left empty.
BACK TO BOOKINGS
(info courtesy milanoinfoturist.com)
HOTELS IN MILAN, ITALY
|
