Sightseeing tour of Milan in Russian. Excursions in Milan
My impression is: whether you need a shopping guide in Milan, or see the sights, or to guide you around the neighborhood and shopping points - you will hardly find better than Olga. Surprisingly sociable and nimble girl, quickly resolves any issue that arises. Take my situation, for example. Knowing that I was going to visit Milan, I got the idea to see firsthand the famous fresco by Leonardo da Vinci "The Last Supper". But when I finally arrived in Milan, I was surprised to find that registration for a visit is made exclusively in advance via the Internet. And no amount of persuasion can force the managers to deviate from this order. If not for Olga, my whole trip would have been contested. Good guide in Milan is really a must! Such as Olga.
I highly recommend Olga as a Russian-speaking guide to Milan, especially if the purpose of your visit to Milan is sightseeing. Unlike, say, Venice, in Milan the sights are scattered in different quarters, and if you don't know your way around the city at all, then the task of the guide, as I see it, is to help the tourist see the main thing, without wasting time without jostling in queues and in the public transport. Olga coped with this task perfectly! I especially liked her excursion to Santa Maria delle Grazie and her story about "The Last Supper" - it was a real discovery. It turns out that the fresco has a different secret meanings, which you will never guess, examining it yourself. We talked with our other acquaintances who visited Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, so the guide they hired (and not the cheapest one) did not even go inside the church with them. Olga also helped us a lot with shopping. Many thanks!
Olga was recommended to me Good friends, and I was not disappointed, because Olga was for us during our entire stay in Milan more than just a guide-translator. After a successful shopping, which we successfully had in Milan with her assistance (she achieved for us such impressive discounts on fashionable clothes that we never even thought about - that's what knowledge of Italian plus local psychology is), she gave us an excellent survey
The majestic Cathedral (Duomo) is located. Its perhaps the laziest and most difficult construction has dragged on continuously for a good five centuries, starting from October 16. 1387 A lump of lacy white marble soars to heaven with the flame of countless turrets, bristle spiers, carved cornices and arches, grotesque reliefs and sculptures. It was thanks to this building of national scope that the Gothic style, which flourished beyond the Alps and was certainly imprinted on the appearance of the cathedral from 1392, penetrated Milan and influenced all of Italy. However, this tricky architectural heap was held up with difficulty: the cathedral was "repaired" first in 1935, then with special care - in 1943 after the bombing during the Second World War.
Near the cathedral, from the side, open its long porticoes and a triumphal arch "Gostiny Dvor" Milana-Gallery Vittorio Emmanuele II, (a work of Giuseppe Mengoni of the late 19th century). It is the focus of secular and cultural life Milan: famous bookstores, renowned bars, renowned restaurants, elegant shops are located in a small area Gallery It has the shape of a cross, and the octagon formed by the intersection of the crossbeams is covered with a bold glass dome (47m high) and mosaic with the coat of arms of the Savoyard dynasty (red cross of the saint George on a white field) .At the exits, the coats of arms of four Italian cities are depicted: Milan (red cross on a white field), Rome (capitoline she-wolf), Florence (red lily) and Turin (bull). The most important of them is the bull, and according to local belief, if you stand on it and turn on your heel around your own axis, you will gain incredible wealth and happiness. On the opposite side of the passage is Skala Square, in the center of which a monument to Leonardo da Vinci is erected. The great master is surrounded by his great Lombard disciples. The famous Opera theatre La Scala with a capacity of 3 thousand spectators.
It was here that the first productions of Verdi's "Othello" and Puccini's "Madame Butterfly" took place. A visit to the Sforzesco castle, the history of which unites a military fortress (its sample was taken by Italian architects during the construction of the Moscow Kremlin), the magnificent ducal residence of Visconti-Sforza (until 1499), on the decoration of which Bramante and Leonardo worked; the barracks (in the 19th century) and, finally, the location of the current museums. The 32 halls of the museum house collections of sculpture, furniture, painting, ceramics, jewelry, bronze, ivory, metals and glass. The Museum of Old Musical Instruments is unique. Among the many worthy works of art, the most famous is Pieta Rondanini, Michelangelo's latest masterpiece. Death interrupted work on this marble statue, in which the spiritual image triumphs over the form.
Sightseeing tour of Milan. Option 2Instead of the Sforzesco castle, it is proposed to visit the fresco "The Last Supper" by Leonardo Da Vinci in the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
"The Last Supper" by Leonardo Da Vinci and the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie (1 hour 30 min)
The Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie was built according to the project of Guiniforte Solari in 1463, when the adjacent monastery was already completed, and completed in 1482.From 1492 to 1495, the church, the favorite of Ludovico Sforza Moor (where he intended to order a tombstone for himself and his wife Beatrice dEste), entrusted to the rethinking of Donato Bramante, who combined the principles of the Florentine Renaissance with the typical elements of Lombard, Romanesque and Christian art (polygonal plans and ceramic decorations) in order to achieve a "divine geometry" based on the theories of Pythagoras and Plato. The fresco "The Last Supper", located in the refectory of the Dominican monastery that stood here, is the highest manifestation of the artistic gift of Leonardo da Vinci and the most important milestone in the history of both Lombard and world art.
The slowness and exactingness of Leonardo, who was invited to the court of the Sforza (1495-97), in the work on the fresco became the talk of the town. The master, working all day long, then for days without touching the brush, used an unusual technique, but, unfortunately, fragile: he wrote not with oil, but with strong tempera on complex preparatory plaster layers. Their wet component quickly swelled and took away the paint layer, corroding it with salt and mold - as a result, the painting quickly turned into a ghost. Already in 1565, Vasari could barely distinguish "blurry spots". After the August bombing of 1943, which completely destroyed the refectory, and the previous nasty repairs to the fresco, today restorers are trying to save it from complete disintegration. The fresco itself is stunning and inspiring. traditional in plot, unique in composition.
Rigid perspective and symmetry extends in depth. A faint diffused light envelops the stage, streaming from three windows in the back and from a front source, as if from the windows of the room in which the viewer is. Placed strictly in the center of coincidence of all compositional and emotional vectors, Christ at a horizontal meal with the apostles, divided into threes, predicts: "One of you will betray me." The teacher's words are incredible, and each of the twelve apostles is agitated in his own way: their gestures and looks, combined with the arrangement and ratio of the figures, express a tragic inner tension. Contrary to tradition, Leonardo's Judas is not distinguished by the fact that he sits at a distance: a linear row of 13 figures awakens in the viewer's subconscious a feeling of trouble, the culprit of which will be the apostle who overturned the salt shaker, sitting next to Jesus Judas.
(This excursion is only possible by pre-order visit time)
Major museums in Milan:
National Art Gallery "Brera" (3 hours)The gallery, housed in the building of the former Jesuit college, built by Martino Bassi in 1591, is recognizable by the monument to Napoleon, the work of Canova (1809). The rich collection of paintings is striking in its value and quality.
Gallery of Leonardo da Vinci at the Museum of Science and Technology (1 hour) *You will be able to embody the brilliant ideas of Leonardo da Vinci thanks to the most accurate models designed according to his projects and exhibited in the grandiose Gallery of Leonardo da Vinci, and, moreover, try out the work of his mechanisms in the interactive laboratory “Fantastic Machines of Leonardo da Vinci”
* this excursion is optional as an addition to visiting the "Last Supper" and deepening acquaintance with the work of the great Tuscan
Excursions from Milan:
Lake Como (4 hours with the road)Those wishing to take a break from the business life of Milan should visit this rare lake. It stretches 51 kilometers north from Milan to the border with Switzerland (from Cernobbio to Lake Lugano). The Lepontino Alps serve as a kind of barrier against northern winds, therefore, the temperature on the lake does not drop below 24 degrees Celsius. On its shores, surrounded by the charming forests of the Lario mountains in the Bellagio area, whose peaks form valleys (Valassina, Val d'Ezino, Valvarrone, Valcavarna and Val d'Intelvi), there are luxurious summer villas of the noble Lombard families of the 18th-19th centuries, drowning flowers (in Tramezzo, for example, the queen of villas - Villa Carlotta in a garden of camellias is decorated with sculptures by Canova and frescoes by Hayes) and popular scenic spots among tourists (Bolettone, Boletto, Palanzone and San Primo). local restaurants you can taste the peculiarities of real Lombard cuisine.
Bergamo Alta (4 hours with the road)The medieval part of Bergamo, which is connected to the lower town by a funicular. On Old square there is the 12th century Palazzo della Ragione, the famous Contarini fountain, the bell tower, which still beats 130 blows at 10 pm, indicating that all city gates were closed. Here Cathedral and the Colleoni chapel, where this great condottiere rests. The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore is famous for its wood-colored inlays by Lorenzo Lotto, illustrating biblical stories. The musician Gaetano Donizetti rests in the church.
Cremona (5 hours with the road)
The homeland of Stradivari has an ancient and glorious history. The most magnificent monument is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta - a huge Romanesque building that harmoniously combines architectural styles many centuries. The second tallest bell tower in the world is 110 m high and has in the fourth tier the world's largest astrological clock of the 16th century, which depicts constellations in interaction with the trajectories of the moon and sun. In addition to the delightful palaces and churches, it is worth visiting the Stradivari Museum, which contains a unique collection of forms and instruments that were at the disposal of Antonio Stradivari during the production of his unique violins.
Pavia (5 hours with the road)
Spread on the Ticino River, the city has a centuries-old history, rich in unique charm of cultural monuments. Everything here breathes a centuries-old history: from Roman origin to the splendor of the Goth civilization, from the Longobard period to the Renaissance grace of the era of Signors Visconti and Sforza. It was by the will of Gian Galeazzo Visconti at the end of the 14th century that the Carthusian monastery was founded, where the representatives of this dynasty found their last rest. This architectural complex to this day it is considered one of the most grandiose and majestic in Europe. The marble mosaics of the façade anticipate the richness of the interior frescoes by the Borgognone brothers, while the terracotta sculptures of the inner cloister courtyards provide a wonderful contrast to the asceticism of the cells.
Mantua (6 hours with the road)
One of the cities most celebrated by poets: Aldous Hooksley called Mantua "the most romantic city in the world", Charles Baudelaire "The world asleep in warm light", Orio Vergani "wrapped in loneliness like fate." It is impossible not to be enchanted by the canals of the Mincio River, covered with snow-white water lilies, eternal fog that gives magnificent monuments a surreal look, and a unique atmosphere of timeless historicity. The court of the Mantua dukes of Gonzaga was rightfully considered one of the most brilliant in Europe. It would be more correct to call Palazzo Ducale a palace city, since it consists of numerous buildings connected by covered galleries, courtyards and hanging gardens. Here the great Mantegna covers with frescoes the "Bedroom of the newlyweds", a real gem of the Renaissance. For amusement, Gonzaga ordered the best student of Raphael J. Romano "Tea Palace", which will receive the epithet "undisguised deceptions." Indeed, in the cycles of frescoes by the same Romano there are many mystical symbols that acquire great showiness due to skillful visual tricks. One cannot ignore another colossus of the Renaissance - the Florentine architect Alberti, who left Mantua the Church of St. Sebastian and the Basilica of St. Andrew, where the Relic of the Blood of Christ is tremblingly kept.
The first acquaintance with Milan is worth spending with a person who lives in the city and can show you it from all sides. A sightseeing tour of Milan from locals covers the main attractions and allows you to touch the culture and history of the city.
Under cover of darkness, Milan does not become a gloomy and mysterious city, but on the contrary, invites you to fun and good company. There are many bars and restaurants along the canals of Milan, where people of all ages gather in the evening. During a gastronomic excursion in Milan, you will stroll along the canals, go to the most colorful bars and restaurants and be able to fully feel the joyful liveliness of the evening city.
Probably, as in any European city, Milan has its own, alternative side, which the guides in Milan will gladly show you. Here you will find flea markets where you can find a lot of interesting things, private family restaurants that offer not only an excellent menu, but also original interiors, wine shops selling wine from local wineries, interesting shops, concept stores, hipster places and much more.
Speaking of Milan, it would be wrong not to mention the famous people of the city, one of which is Leonardo da Vinci. During a tour in Milan in the footsteps of Leonardo, you will see his monument, you can visit the museum of his inventions, and also look at the church, where one of the most famous paintings- The Last Supper. The history of Milan passes through several eras, the more interesting it is to observe their reflection in different areas and buildings. Together with our guides in Milan, you will trace the history of the city during antiquity, the Inquisition, the times of Napoleon and the period of fascism. Milan will not leave indifferent history buffs, shoppers or art lovers.
Lake Como (Lago di Como) is one of the most beautiful natural wonders of Lombardy. I propose a beautiful photo walk around the city of Varenna. A great opportunity to preserve for many years the memory of a fantastic place, charming and unlike any other!
thematic
Urban Legends: Duomo Cathedral
We will start with an external examination of the cathedral and a story about the history of its construction. Then we will go inside the Duomo and begin to familiarize ourselves, step by step, with every detail of this grand cathedral.
historical
Guided tour of Verona and Lake Garda
I propose to visit the legendary city of Romeo and Juliet, chosen by Shakespeare as the stage for his immortal tragedy. Verona serves as the "gateway to Italy". Lake Garda is a wonderful resort, ideal for those who like walking around the city and for those who like to relax on the beach.
gastronomic tour historical eco-tourism
Vineyards of Piedmont and Liguria
The tour provides an opportunity not only to get acquainted with the traditions of Italy, famous brands of wine from Piedmont and Liguria, local products (wine, grappa, cheeses and sausages), but also to relax, recharged by the Italian sun. Therefore, each excursion day does not exceed the travel standards.
agritourism gastronomic tour
Guided tour of Milan
I suggest you take a sightseeing tour of Milan. I will be glad to acquaint you with the history, legends and secrets of this city. We will visit the majestic cathedral - the pride of the Milanese, medieval fortress, mystical church 300 AD NS. and much more. Individual wishes are accepted.
overview historical museums
Lugano + Switzerland in miniature
80 km from Milan, an hour by car, and you are already walking around the Swiss town of Lugano, enjoying the charm of its cozy streets, the mesmerizing beauty of the lake of the same name and the grandeur of the surrounding mountains.
Some people need shopping and only that. True, for some this business is purely intimate. But if we are talking about Milan, then the excursion will definitely not hurt you in any case. Firstly, the largest and most famous outlets in Milan are located far from the walls of the Duomo and not even on the outskirts of the city. Secondly, if you do not want to leave Milan, but want to shop profitably and with interest, then you will go crazy, going into all the places with the words “outlet” or “sale” on the shopping streets of the city. And only someone's sensitive and competent leadership will not allow you to waste on shopping twice as much time as you intended.
Some people want a modern Milan. Suppose, not even all, but some specific part: these are usually those tourists who come to events. God himself ordered such a tour of Milan to be carried out by car (in general, Milan is a suitable city for car excursions).
Finally, some people need not so much Milan itself as its surroundings - very rich in interesting places... Where, if not from Milan, go with an excursion to lakes Maggiore, Como and Garda, Bellagio, Menaggio and other charming towns of the Italian north? Nobody argues, it's best to stay there (for a week, at least). But if not, the trip to Como and back with a guide will take you five hours, and you will have time to see a town or two.
A very common offer from guides in Milan is one day excursions to Venice, Verona, Bergamo. The expediency of such a trip, of course, can be a subject for discussion. Suppose it takes about an hour to get to Bergamo; But to Venice and Verona you will go much longer: the total duration of the excursion in the first case will be 7 hours, in the second - 5.
Best excursions in Milan, they cover as much as possible architectural sights, museums and galleries, temples, castles.
As well as excursion destinations shopping in Milan is popular, moreover, it becomes an independent reason to visit the city. The guides organize visits to the best country outlets of famous brands and boutiques in the city center - in the "fashion square" formed by streets Montenapoleone, Manzoni, della Spiga and Corso Venezia. An iconic place for all shopping lovers is the Victor Emmanuel II Gallery on the Duomo Square.
Special directions such as. Experts in Milan offer to taste dishes of Italian and Lombardian cuisine in the most authentic establishments where locals like to spend their time. Wine tour participants visit the cellars accompanied by a sommelier, and wine tastings are organized for them.
Provide interesting vacation help with children in Milan special programs for: visiting museums with master classes, tours to amusement parks - "Gardaland", "Moviland", "Italy in miniature".
1 of 3
Prices for excursions in Milan and tours
For all excursions from Milan, the cost is indicated in euros. Walking and bus services are inexpensive sightseeing tours in Milan as part of a group (cost - for each participant or for the whole group at once). You need to agree on the terms of individual escort directly with the guide.
The best excursions: what to see
The famous landmark of Milan is the Duomo di Milano Cathedral, which you can visit with a guided tour. Options are possible - with a group or together with a guide.
To the list must see the busiest routes around the city include the Sforza Castle, named after the ruler. Even Leonardo da Vinci himself was involved in the design of the castle, rebuilt from a defensive structure.
The fame of the Milan theater "La Scala" thunders all over Europe. To visit the best opera performances and see the theatrical exposition at the La Scala museum, you can also ask the guides.
The most interesting cultural and historical collections are collected in Milan. The route to the best museums and Pinakothek can be planned for several days at once. It is worth visiting the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology with children. The permanent exhibition introduces da Vinci's inventions and Renaissance masterpieces to visitors, and includes several interactive exhibits.
Other popular cultural programs in Milan include excursions to the Brera Pinacoteca and the Giuseppe Verdi route.
1 of 4
Tours and excursions from Milan: where to go
It is convenient to combine rest in Milan with mini-trips around the country. For example, trips from Milan to Venice, the city of canals and gondoliers, are always interesting.
From Milan - an option for those who cannot allocate a few days to the capital, but dreams of at least seeing the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and visiting the Vatican.
The city of Romeo and Juliet will also be unforgettable. The guides plan this route in such a way that after walking around Verona there is even time to go to Lake Garda and return to Milan on the same day.
Just 55 km from Milan is Lake Como, and are also performed regularly. This is one of the most scenic spots in Italy: the lake landscape is complemented by mountains and the cozy architecture of coastal towns.
With the departure from Milan, not only short-term tours in Italy (for 1-2 days) are popular, but also - to castles and lakes. It will not be possible to study the country in detail in the allotted time, but this is quite enough to be impressed by its beauty and get inspiration for a vacation in Switzerland.
Special outbound excursions are organized on the days of carnivals and city holidays. Directions - San Remo, Nice, Lugano and others.