Spring Break Wanderings in Milan (With Pictures!)

Buongiorno, tutti!

Yesterday my lengthy spring break finally came to a close. This is probably the first time in a while where I haven’t felt cheated by thinking the break wasn’t long enough – it was time to get back to work and finish this semester out strong.

Though I stayed in Milan for the duration of break (with the exception of Easter with my professor in Laveno), I found this a great opportunity to get to know the city I was living in a little better, to explore what all it had to offer. So, I took one lazy day of rest after the two-day Easter fun (Tuesday) and woke up Wednesday with maps in hand and a game plan.

Let's start with Wednesday. I took the long way to the metro entrance to stop by a humble monument called Casa del Pane (House of Bread) and snapped some pictures. It’s not that impressive, but it was labeled as something special on my Maps app, and it was so close by – I figured why not.

 

 (Ignore the five-headed motorbike driver.)

My main destination was the Duomo, or the Milan Cathedral, which I’ve visited before, but I hadn’t yet had the chance to go inside or march up to the terraces on the roof. So that’s what I did. It was 7 euro to go up onto the roof. I think that’s a bit steep, but at the same time it was worth it; at least the view was decent. (I’ve been spoiled by the tall towers I’ve climbed in Verona and Venice, I admit.)

 

After stretching out to nab a little sun on the terraces, I wandered back down into the square and headed north. Located very close by to the Duomo was the Teatro Alla Scala, which I have been told is definitely a place to visit while in town (thanks, Sara ;)). The exterior of the building was a little disappointing considering it’s an opera house from the 1700s (though I understand it’s been through fires and renovations), and though I haven’t ventured inside (the cost of a tour is temptingly decent, but I’m still not sure about it), from what I’ve seen, it is exquisite.

(credit to http://3d-top-event.info/culture_102_Mailaender_Scala_Teatro_alla_Scala.html)

 On the way to the metro, I traipsed inside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II, which is much more amazing on the inside then from the outside looking in.

On the way home, I hopped off the metro to take a look at another humble monument called Porta Romana  (Roman Door/Gate). It doesn’t seem to get much love, as it’s plopped right in the middle of an intersection, but I made sure to give it some.

Thursday I again set an alarm for a decent time and headed out with my lunch packed. I visited the Cimitero Monumental (Monumental Cemetery) which is the second largest cemetery in Milan, ranking in at 2,700,000 square feet. Yeah. Monumental indeed.

This is the entrance alone.

This is what you immediately see through the entrance.

And the map, so you don’t get lost. (I was genuinely afraid of getting lost as soon as I set foot inside the intimidating place - don’t let me fool you.)

It was established in 1866 and there are many graves to show for it. I would say most of the ones I saw were from the 1800s and early 1900s.  Almost every one was adorned with some sort of monument or statue, and all of them were marvelously done. (Lots of Jesus and angel statues, which is no surprise.) They all looked either utterly distraught or so serene it was painful. Lots of emotion contained in stone.

It was a hauntingly beautiful place and the atmosphere was not that of a typical cemetery somehow. (I visited in broad daylight and can only imagine what it would be like in the dark, though I still don’t feel it would be creepy. I’m probably very wrong, but alas, I’ll never find out! The cemetery closes well before sundown every day.)

I need to go back and see the cemetery again, though. I was only able to spend a little over an hour there and that was not nearly enough. I need to go when I have a whole afternoon free in order to properly see everything without rushing. I hope I can manage to do that before I leave (in 31 days – crazy!).

My next stop was the Sforza Castle and Parco Sempione nearby the building I go to for class, but I had spent most of my time in the cemetery. Still, I found a nice patch of grass and plopped down to eat my grapes and chips while listening to the chatter of conversation and birds around me. I need to go back there when I have more time, too.

The highlight of the day was yet to be had, though. I scheduled an appointment for a viewing of The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci. Yes, the actual thing, where it was actually painted in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie back in 1494 – 1498.

(I’ve been to the Convent itself before, but Thursday I was there for the painting, not the building.)

We got fifteen minutes to appreciate the masterpiece, up high on the wall with the huge dimensions of 15 feet by 30 feet. It was magnificent and massive, to say the least. The experience was surreal, almost, while standing under the grand piece. The Convent was less than half a mile from the building I go to school at and it was only 8 euro to book an appointment. It seemed too easy, almost, but regardless, I just had to seize the opportunity. It was so close by and so affordable, I knew it would be something I’d kick myself for later if I hadn’t taken the chance! I am still in awe of the great painter’s work, sitting here days later. Leonardo hadn’t even used the traditional fresco technique – he was experimenting with a new medium in this piece. Experimenting. And that is the result?! Simply amazing.

As far as highlights in Milan go, this one definitely takes the cake.

The rest of my spring break I spent doing homework and otherwise taking it easy, not worrying about bedtimes and essentially staying in my pajamas all day. It was a good end to a fantastic week.

And through all my adventuring, though I had drawn myself detail directions on screenshots of maps, I never once got lost. I strayed from my intended path a couple times, but without worry always managed to get back somewhere I recognized. That was a marvelous feeling, especially compared to my two-hour wandering around, utterly lost over two months ago.

Today marks the 71^st day of my being in Milan with only a month remaining. Time has been rolling by like a locomotive – it was slow going at first, but now that it’s up to speed, the days are flying by. I’ve loved my time being here, though there have been some tough things to deal with, I’m sure there will be things I’ll miss about Milan (and there will be things I’ll happily leave behind, too), but all in all, I’ll be glad to be home on May 31^st.

My next fun trip is Florence on May 19^th, so I don’t think there will be a blog post from me until around then. For the next couple weeks I’ll be focusing on final exam preparations and wrapping up the semester in the best way I can.

Until then,

V