MILANO		TRAIN STATION
		TOURIST INFORMATIONS		MUSEUMS
		AIRPORTS		RESTAURANTS, WINE BARS, PUBS, DISCOTHEQUES

   THE DUOMO

Duomo (M1 red and M3 yellow)

Near the hotel ABC you find, One of the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, Milan's Duomo has a population of 6,000 statues, a solemn and lofty interior resembling a sequoia forest, giant multi-colored stained-glass windows and works of art to make any museum green with envy.

It's the seat of the one and only Roman Catholic diocese which - following its patron, Sant'Ambrogio still keeps to an ancient calendar of its own. Which is why Milan is still going wild with its Carnival when the rest of the world has started Lent.

Take a walk outside, around the back of the enormous church, your nose pointing skyward to admire the interplay of pinnacles and buttresses. Then go to the top floor of la La Rinascente store and look at the spires face-to-face.


      COLONNE DI SAN LORENZO

A 50 mt from the hotel you find The sixteen columns of the 2nd century AD still standing in front of the basilica of San Lorenzo are the most important Roman remains in Milan.

They were part of a temple (or perhaps even a public baths complex), and were transported here in the 4th century AD to form the front side of a four-sided portico.


    CASTELLO SFORZESCO

Cairoli (M1 red), Lanza (M3 yellow) or Cadorna Triennale (M1 red and M2 green)

The Sforza Castle is a spectacular fortified palace built by the Visconti and the Sforzas, Signori of Milan, who held sway over Northern Italy between the late Middle Ages and Renaissance.

The Castle was extensively renovated around 1900 to house museums and libraries. Particularly outstanding is the art gallery, or Museo d'Arte Antica, containing both paintings and sculptures. Its exhibits include the Rondanini Pietà, last and perhaps most moving masterpiece by Michelangelo.

For further information on the Museo d'Arte Antica, you can refer to a key to Milan.


    

The central tourist office APT (Azienda di Promozione Turistica) is at 1 Via Marconi corner Piazza Duomo. It's open Mon-Fri 8:30am-7pm (summer -8pm), Sat 9am-1pm and 2-6pm (summer -7pm), Sun 9am-1pm and 2-5pm.
Tel. [+39] 02 72524300
fax [+39] 02 72524350

Duomo (line 1 red and 3 yellow)


At the Central Railway Station the tourist office (first floor, near the 'Gran Bar') is open Mon-Sat 8am-7pm, Sun 9am-12:30pm and 1:30-6pm.
Tel. [+39] 02 72524360

Centrale FS (line 2 green and 3 yellow)


APT organizes four different GUIDED TOURS, introducing visitors to Milan:
1) the very center (Duomo, Galleria, La Scala museum and Palazzo Marino),
2) the Ambrosiana art gallery,
3) the two Milanese house-museums (Poldi Pezzoli and Bagatti Valsecchi),
4) the Brera art gallery.
Each of them takes half a day, and costs between 20,000 and 25,000 Lire. The APT staff at Via Marconi will be pleased to tell you about next scheduled tours by phone [+39] 02 72524300, but won't accept phone bookings.


    

Milan has two domestic and international airports.

Linate (LIN), tel. [+039] 02 74852200, is located in the eastern outskirts, some 10 kms from downtown. A special shuttle-service runs to and from the central railway station (info at [+039] 02 6690351), while to and from the city center there is an urban bus, the 73. Both take about 30 min., depending on traffic.

Malpensa (MXP), tel. [+039] 02 74852200, is located towards Lake Maggiore, some 50 kms from downtown. The special shuttle-train Malpensa Express runs to and from the Ferrovie Nord Railway Station.


    

Da Berti ($$$)
Very good traditional Milanese cuisine. Al fresco dining in summer.
Via Algarotti 20, closed Sunday, tel. [+39] 02 6694627

Sondrio (M3 yellow)

Bistrot ($$$)
Elegant, with the best view in town and three set menus - Milanese, vegetarian and fish - to choose from. Piazza Duomo (La Rinascente), closed Sunday and Monday lunch, tel. [+39] 02 877159

Duomo (M1 red and M3 yellow)

Casa Fontana ($$)
Milan's first course par excellence is rice, cooked here in 23 different ways. Evenings you can even choose an all-rice menu. Piazza Carbonari 5, closed Saturday lunch and Monday, tel. [+39] 02 6704710

Sondrio (M3 yellow)

Milanese ($$$)
In a maze of old Milan streets, this one-time trattoria sticks to local gastronomic traditions. Via Santa Marta 11, closed Tuesday, tel. [+39] 02 86451991

Cordusio (M1 red)

Risotteria ($$)
A simple place, where they make very good risottos (but not only) served by smiling folk. Via Dandolo 2, closed Sunday, tel. [+39] 02 55181694


    WINE BARS

L'altra Pharmacia
Wines and grappas from Friuli, a wine-producing northeastern region of Italy. Titbits, proper meals (no veg) and, at weekends, piano bar in the basement. Via Rosmini 3, closed Sunday, tel. [+39] 02 3451300

Moscova (M2 Green)

La cantina di Manuela
Open till late, this small wine bar offers a selection of Italian wines and some good eating choices. Tables outdoors when the weather is warm. Via Cadore 30, closed Sunday, tel. [+39] 02 55184931

Wine Bar
Here they take wine very seriously. Open (evenings only, of course) till late for a glass of Italian wine served with cheese and salami or a light meal. Viale Argonne 38, closed Sunday, tel. [+39] 02 7309934


    PUBS

Pogue Mahone's
The most crowded pub in town is Irish, with Irish beer and Irish folk. Via Salmini 1, closed Monday, tel. [+39] 02 58309726

Porta Romana (M3 yellow)

El Tumbun de San Marc
In the heart of the Brera district, a landmark for beer drinkers. Via San Marco 20, closed Sunday, tel. [+39] 02 6599507

Moscova (M2 green)

Birrificio Lambrate
The first brewery in town. The beer is made on the premises in three steel kettles. Via Porpora corner Via Adelchi, every day, tel. [+39] 02 70638678

After Line
A disco-bar very popular with Milan's gay community, but also open to straight folk. Music, cocktails, some food and theme nights. Via Sammartini 25, closed Monday, tel. [+39] 02 6692130

Stazione Centrale (M2 green and M3 yellow)

    DISCOTHEQUES

Gimmi's
An old-established club with live music - mostly revival - for those who enjoy dancing. Via Cellini 2, closed Monday and Wednesday, tel. [+39] 02 55188069

Hollywood
Very crowded, especially at weekends. Borderline night on Wednesday. Corso Como 15, closed Monday, tel. [+39] 02 6598996

Garibaldi FS (M2 green)

Plastic
The trendsetting and most wayout disco in town, open till the weehours. Gay night with pop & garage music on Thursday. Viale Umbria 120, closed Monday, tel. [+39] 02 733996

Shocking Club
Small underground disco packed with the many fashion models living in town. Thursday is Pigalle night. Bastioni di Porta Nuova 15, closed Sunday and Monday, tel. [+39] 02 6595407

Garibaldi FS (M2 green)


    

Museo Poldi Pezzoli
Originally the private museum of a wealthy Milanese gentleman art-collector, Gian Giacomo Poldi Pezzoli, the museum conserved this characteristic when the owner left the city of Milan on his death in 1878. The museum is housed in the 17° century Porta building, which was mosified in the following century. The 22 showrooms occupy both floors and the collection inclused great Italian 14th and 17th century paintings. In addiction there are other collections of art objects including: jewellery; enamels; china; furniture; tapestries and armour. The paintings include works by Botticelli, Piero Della Francesca, Mantegna, Pollaiolo and Guardi.

12, via Manzoni - MM3 Montenapoleone, Bus 61, Tram 1/2
Open: 9.00 a.m. - 12.30 a.m.
2.30 p.m. - 6.00 p.m.
Saturday closing: 7.30 p.m. - Closed Mondays. (from April 1 to Sept. 30 closed Sunday afternoon).
Admission: L.10.000

Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnica: "Leonardo Da Vinci"
It was founded between 1947-53 in order to make known the origins and development of scientific theories and technological progress. The various sections occupy 3 buildings: the one dedicated to aeronautical and rail transport is monumental. The first building houses the technological and scientific sections, on three floors. On the first floor there is Leonardo's Gallery with the great artist and inventor's ingenious medels and original sketches. A reproduction of Leonardo's famous self-portrait, engraved on plate-glass, welcomes visitors at the entrance. Recently, educational laboratories have been opened.
The Railway Pavilion at the "Museo della Scienza"
With 28 sections, from informatics to motors of astronomy, 40.000 mq. of expositions, and a big wealth of 15.000 exhibits, the Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnica "Leonardo da Vinci" of Milan is one of the most important technologic-scientific museum of the world. The Museum presents a particular path that bring us in an happy period of the Italian artistic history: the Renaissance and its great men, among them Leonardo da Vinci, who more than others could join the concept of "art-science-technology" concept that during the centuries is disappeared with the predominance of an art on another. To the genius of Leonardo engineer and scientist, is dedicated a big gallery, where there are not only the models of Leonardo's machines, but also numerous frescoes of XVI and XVII century, among them also a replica of the "Ultima Cena".

21, via San Vittore - MM2 Sant' Ambrogio, Bus 18-50-58, Tram 24
Open: 9.30 a.m. - 4.50 p.m.
Sat.Sun. 9.30 a.m. - 6.30 p.m. Closed Mondays (not holidays).
Entrance facilities for disabled.

Museo Civico di Storia Naturale
The seat of this museum is in a building erected by the architect Giovanni Cerruti in 1893, in Neo-Romanesque style, with a profusion of ornamental terracottas. It is situated in the area of the Public Gardens, near the Planetarium. It was founded in 1838 when the Milanese nobleman, Giuseppe De Cristoforis and the professor of botany Giorgio Jan donated their naturalist collection to the Municipality of Milan. One of the directors of the Museums was the renowned geologist Antonio Stoppani (monument to the right of the building). Rebuilt after the devastation caused by war-demage, the museum has sections dedicated to mineralogy, geology and paleontology; zoology of vertebrates; entomology and botany. The reconstructions of the various natural environments are of special interest.

55, Corso Venezia - MM1 Palestro, Tram 9-29-30
Open: 9.30 a.m. - 5.30 p.m. Saturdays and holidays: 9.30 a.m. - 6.30 p.m.
Closed Mondays.
Admission: free of charge.

Palazzo Dell'Arte-Triennale
The building, situated in Sempione Park, was designed by Giovanni Muzio and built in 1932-33 thanks to the legacy left by the manufacturer Antonio Bernocchi, who wished the city to have a permanent Centre for International Exibitions of Decorative Arts. Since then the massive building, in terra-cotta with white arches, has been the seat of the milan Triennals. The Triennal Exibitions of Decorative Arts was founded in 1923 to promote the qualitative improvement of Italian manufactored articles. These exibitions play a fundamental role in the debate of Architecture. The building also houses a Study Centre with a library specialising in Design and Applied Arts.

6, Viale Alemagna - MM1 MM2 Cadorna, Bus 61
Open: 10.00 a.m. - 8.00 p.m.
Closed Mondays
Admission: L.10.000

Pinacoteca Ambrosiana
The building which houses the picture gallery was erected by order of Cardinal Federico Borromeo, who supplied the original collection of works of art. Since then numerous donations made by artists, private citizens and various associations have been added. The gallery was finally completed only after the Second World War. After 7 years reconstruction and re-decoration, it was re-opened to the public in October 1997. It contains important works belonging, above all, to the Lombard and Venetian schools, in addition to a collection of sketches by great masters the most famous exibits include "La Canestra di Frutta" by Caravaggio, and Raphael's cartoon for "Scuola d'Atene". The building also houses Europe's oldest public library, with 35.000 manuscripts and autographed sketches by Leonardo: (the Atlantic Code - not accessible to visitors).

Piazza Pio XI - MM1 Cordusio, Bus 18-50-54-58, Tram 1-2-3-4-12-14-19-24-27
Open from 10.00 to 5.30 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday
Admission: L.12.000

Pinacoteca Brera
The impressive 17th century baroque Brera Palace, once a Jesuite college, now houses the Academy of Fine Arts, the Picture Gallery, the Brera Gallery, the Astronomical Observatory and the Botanical Gardens. At the far end of the courtyard with 2 rows of connected arches (Richini), a grand staircase leads up to the Gallery, which occupies 38 showrooms. More than 500 pictures, moslty of the XV-XVII century Venetian school, are on view. The Brera Gallery is world-famous for its masterpieces which include works by Mantegna (Cristo Morto); Piero Della Francesca; Bellini (Pietà); Raffaello (Sposalizio della Vergine); Caravaggio (Cena in Emmaus);Veronese (SS. Antonio, Cornelio e Cipriano); and Tintoretto (Miracolo di San Marco).

28, Via Brera - MM2 Lanza, Bus 41-61
Open: 9.00 a.m. - 5.30 p.m.
Holidays: 9.00 a.m. - 12.30 a.m.
Closed Mondays.
Entrance facilities for disabled.
Admission: L.8.000.

Acquario Civico
Built in Liberty style by the architect Sebastiano Locati for the International Exibition held in Milan in 1906, the building was partly destroyed by the 1943 bombings. It was rebuilt in the same style and a few years ago the interior was modernised. In the numerous tanks frsh-water and marine fish are on view, together with various species of reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. There is also a hydrobiological station.

2, via Gadio - Parco Sempione
MM2 Lanza, Bus 43-57-70, Tram 3-4-12-14
Entrance: free of charge.
Videothèque open to the public 9.30 a.m. - 5.30 p.m.
Closed Mondays.