"A Lot of Variety" Milan by BruceDunning

The spires stand right out. Inside is a real wonder how magnificence one more church can be. The Duomo is 4th largest in Europe. It is flamboyant "flame like" Gothic and all made of marble. Building continued from 1386-1810, and they kept adding on and improving. The last portion was built over 1786-1810 for the last renovation. The stained glass is from 1500 as well as the floor. A Golden Mary is on the top pillar. It is the 4th largest church in Europe. All spires are marble, and the stained glass and floor are from the 1500 era. Inside, one most interesting sculpture is of St. Bartholomew, which was done by a protege' of Michelangelo. It shows the frame of the man as only muscle structure

Tour Leonardo and other squares

He was a dedicated and brilliant artist, scientist, and inventor. He spent a great deal of time in Milan. Down the main street are some fine shops, but on the side streets are the other squares and at the end the fort.

Shopper in pose

Most people seem to come here to shop at the Galleria, which then expands out into the other streets. I noticed from first hand, you need to watch out for traffic that goes by busily while people are gawking at the fine architecture. Keep moving with the crowd and find a gellato. That galleria is from 1870's and was the first to have lights. The glass and painted ceilings and tile floors are fabulous and ornate. A metal grid secrues the glass panes. It is located between Duomo and La Scala main street of Milan, in PIazza Napotione.
The city is a world attraction for fashion, and yearly holds a showing. Since 1920's designer labels have made the market through this city. It is hard work and cultural center of north Italy, and claims to carry the rest of the country on its back. The Visconti family, who called it the new Athens, had control for many years, but it also switched back and forth to Spain, the Crusaders, France, Lombards and Austria. One time the city was 3rd richest in the world by being a finance center and trading rice and ag goods.

• Pros:Beautiful Galeria to shop and fortress close by
• Cons:people and traffic to get to the middle of old town
• In a nutshell:It is a nice city and a lot to do but spread out.