Monuments in Milan
The Arch of Peace: this is a Neo-classic construction by L. Cagnola. The “Sestiga della Pace” (The Couch-and-six of Peace) above the attic is by A. Sangiorgio, the “Vittorie a Cavallo” (Victories on Horseback) in the corners are by Putti. The statues of the rivers Po, Adige, Tagliamento and Ticino, above the trabeation are by P. Marchesi.
The Arena: this is a Neoclassic construction with an elliptical plan by L. Canonica.
“New Broletto”, The Palace of Reason: this is a building which dates back to the Communal Age. A noteworthy high-relief dedicated to the Podestà Oldrado decorates the façade on the side of the square. The raised part with large windows dates back to the time of Maria Teresa of Austria.
Omenoni’s House: it is a work by the sculptor and architect L. Leoni. Its name derives from the eight Caryatids (Omenoni) which decorate the façade.
Manzoni’ House: this is a simple and severe building with brick decorations and today it is the seat of the National Centre for the studies on Manzoni.
The Castle of the Sforza: this is an impressive square building with keeps in the corners, surrounded by a moat. The wide courtyard, which was used as a barrack square, can be reached either from the main entrance, below Filarete tower, or from two doors on the sides of the Castle. In the courtyard, there is a ditch and some doors which used to be equipped with a drawbridge, used to open onto the Ducal Court - which on three sides has a building with Gothic windows, and on the left there is the Rocchetta Courtyard, that is the part of the Castle, where the nobles used to hide themselves in cases of danger. Today the Castle has the Municipal Museums.
The Monumental Cemetery: built in 1866 by C. Maciachini, in Neo-Gothic style, is rich in works of sculpture.
Public Parks: they were created by Piermarini, in the second half of the XVIII Century and were adapted to the English style by Balzaretto in the last Century.
Pirelli Skyscraper: this is a work by the architect Giò Ponti, built between 1955 and 1959. It has the typical form of a shipchain and the City of Milan is proud of it because it is the only skyscraper in the world made of concrete 130 m. high.
The Osiis Loggia: it was built by Matteo Visconti. It has two overlapping loggias interrupted in the centre by a small balcony, from which public edicts were read. Along the parapet of the superior loggia, there are the symbols of the various districts of the City and the Visconti Coats of Arms.
The Main Hospital: the southern part of it and the courtyard of the chemist’s belongs to Filarete. Only the right side of the façade, made of bricks, belongs to Filarete as well, and it has a raised arches portico above a base. This Hospital is the seat of some University faculties.
The Archiepiscopal Palace: it has been remade several times. It has a monumental portal by Pellegrini who worked for this palace from 1569, upon the will of Carlo Borromeo. The project of the chapel also belongs to Pellegrini and dates back to 1569. The most important part of this palace is the Courtyard of the Parsonage.
Clerici Palace: it is a fine sample of Patrician dwelling. One of its halls has a ceiling frescoed by Giambattista Tiepolo, with mythological figures joined to represent “La Corsa del Sole” (The Race of the Sun).
Dugnani Palace: on the inside, it preserves many frescoes of an allegoric subject by Tiepolo.
Marino Palace: it was begun upon the will of the financier Tommaso Marino according to a project by G. Alessi. It was interrupted in 1560 for lack of money after the client’s death and it was not finished. The façade opening onto Piazza della Scala was built at the end of XIX Century by Beltrami. He restored the lobby, the grand staircase, the courtyard of honour and the façade looking towards St. Fedele. On the inside, there are beautiful frescoed halls: noteworthy the Council Hall (Sala della Giunta), by Giambattista Tiepolo.
The Royal Palace: it is a Neo-classic building, according to Piermarini’s project who modified the pre-existing Gothic Palace.
Piazza Mercanti: it was the heart of the City life during the Communes Age. It was created in the first half of XIII Century; other than the Palace of Reason belonging to the Podestà, prisons and the Municipal tower looked on it.
The Ticinese Gate: it dates back to 1801-14, a Ionic style work by L. Cagnola, which was built by public subscription, after the Napoleonic victory of Marengo. The inscriptions, on the contrary, date back to the Austrian Restoration. The sturdy structures of the rich inside creates very strong spatial suggestions.
The Venice Gate: it was built in 1826-28, once known as the Eastern Gate, planned by Vantini.
The Scala Theatre: it dates back to 1776-78, built by Piermarini with a Neo-classic façade where there was St. Mary’s Church at the Scala, where the name derives from. It is the most important Opera theatre in the world; in the adjoining halls, there is a small Theatrical Museum.
The Catholic University: the modern construction includes two cloisters by Bramante, the artist’s last work in Milan.
Villa Reale: it is a Neo-classic building of 1790. Its garden was planned by L. Pollack and it was the model for all gardens in Europe for one Century.
The Surroundings
The Abbey of Chiaravalle: the group of these constructions was transformed in 1442. The original church is made of bricks and is a remarkable medley of Gothic, Cistercian and Lombard style. Above the lantern, a noteworthy mullioned two-light window and loggia bell-tower stands, belonging to XIV century. On the inside, a church with nave and two aisles, a gorgeous carved choir of 1645, by Garavaglia and “Madonna col Bambino” (Our Lady with Her Baby) by Luini.
