Although Rome is the Italian capital, Milan is the powerhouse behind the country’s economy, primarily in terms of industry and fashion. Although it’s not that large a city, it can hold a large population and traffic density, and allows visitors to enjoy both one of the top shop windows of today’s fashion and a vast legacy of well-preserved churches, basilicas and palaces that date from an age when the city was a leading light throughout Europe.
Many of its streets reveal the avant-garde and entrepreneurial nature of the most modern Italian.
A coffee on one of Milan’s terraces surrounded by the elegant Milanese, dropping into any of the fashion boutiques in the quadrilatero d’oro and visiting the third-largest church in the world (the largest Gothic church), el Duomo, and one of the icons of opera, La Scala, is an absolute must.
And, if there’s time, you can always get away and discover one of the lakes that embrace the city.
Throughout its history, Milan has demonstrated its great ability to rebuild itself. And, following its foundation by the tribes of Gaul in the 4th century BC, the city considered to be the second most important in Italy has emerged from its ashes after being sacked by the Goths, Barbarossa and finally the Allies in World War II.
The ancient Mediolanum (“in the middle of the plain”) became part of the Roman Empire in 222 BC.
It quickly grew into a thriving city of trade, achieving political and administrative independence. Its growth was such that in 286 BC it became the capital of the Western Roman Empire, as well as the residence of the Emperor Maximino. Always in Rome’s shadow, it became a byword for Christianity.
These were the years of San Ambrosio, the first famous name in Milan’s history. Thanks to his influence, four basilicas were built: San Simpliciano, Sant’Ambrogio, San Lorenzo and San Názaro.
It was after 402, when the it lost its status as capital city, that Milan entered its first age of decadence. Sacked and conquered by different tribes and empires, it was completely destroyed following a war between the Greeks, Byzantines and Goths.
The Byzantine General Narses began rebuilding it in 568, although a short time later it was governed by the Lombards in Pavía.
In 774, Milan fell into the hands of Frankish bishops, which meant a revival in the economy and the birth, in the eleventh century, of the Commune.
Once again, northern Italy revolved around Milan. However, with the invasion by Federico I Barbarossa’s army in 1162, the city once again lay in ruins.
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