Milan surrounded by Trade

A place to marvel and enjoy the many attractions

Milan is said to have been founded by Celtic tribes, who settled along the Po river in the 7th century BC. In 222 BC, Romans marched into the territory, defeated the locals and occupied the town, which they called Mediolanum, meaning middle of the plain.
Historically, Milan shifted hands quiet a bit. From Spanish rule in 1535 to Austria's in 1713, the city experienced its share of cultural identity. Napoleon later made Milan the capital of his Cisalpine Republic in 1797 and his Italian Republic after that. From 1814 - 1859 once again Austria regained control. However, it wasn't long before Italian troops under Victor Emmanuel II and Napoleon III defeated Austrian forces at the Battle of Magenta. It was 1860 until Milan was incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy. Being heavily bombed during WWII, the city was afterwards rebuilt and quickly grew to its modern popularity.
The city's key position on the trade routes linking Rome with northwestern Europe ensured its continued prosperity.
As far as Milan's main attractions, there are many. Milano's navel, Piazza del Duomo The late-Gothic wonder features marble pinnacles and pillars, A copper statue of the Madonna rises above distracting awed observers from the church's most interesting omission: there is no bell tower.
The neighboring Museo del Duomo chronicles the church's six centuries and displays an interesting collection of art and artifacts.
At the Cenacolo Vinciano, Leonardo da Vinci captured the Bible's most moving moment, The Last Supper. Despite the fact that the paint has peeled away and the numerous restorations have removed almost all of the master's original brushstrokes, it continues to remain a powerful piece of work.
Intersecting the Piazza del Duomo, towers the impressive Castello Sforzesco. Originally a military fortress, it was completely remodeled having new and improved defenses designed by Leonardo da Vinci himself.
The castle holds a collection of modern museums that hold various impressive antiquities. An excellent sculpture collection includes Michelangelo's Pietá Rondanini, and paintings by Bellini, Tiepolo, Mantegna, Correggio, Titian and Van Dyck. There are even Egyptian artifacts thrown in.
Milan has some interesting museums and places that must be visited once in one's lifetime.

Publication Date: 2003-04-13
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=2599