The Sforzesco Castle, one of the most famous monuments in Milan, with its towering and imposing fortress is a great attraction near Milan city centre. This castle has seen long historical vicissitudes during the past years. The architectural features are amazing and they are well preserved too. You won't miss this as the highest tower is seen in almost all of Milan, at whatever area you are in.

It was demolished, then rebuilt several times, embellished and restored to become a symbol of both happy and dramatic events that are to be found in the historical background of the city.
Aside from the huge tower, other features include lovely gardens andcourtyards, plus the stone structures which form part of the fortress of the castle.

An exceptionally large and elaborate Gothic cathedral on the main square of Milan, the Duomo di Milano is one of the most famous buildings in Europe.

It is the largest Gothic cathedral and the second largest Catholic cathedral in the world.

Milan Cathedral is 157 meters long and 40,000 people can fit comfortably within.

The Duomo of Milan blurs the distinction between Gothic and neo-Gothic, for the Gothic west front was begun in 1616 and completed 200 years later.

Only in its details does it reveal its Baroque and Neo-Classical date. From 1900 some of the less Gothic details of the facade were replaced in a true Gothic style, to designs of Giuseppe Brentano.

The cathedral's five wide naves are reflected in the hierarchic openings of the facade. Even the transepts have aisles. The great windows of the choir are reputed to be the largest in the world.

Not merely a fashion genius, Miuccia Prada is an inventive patron of the arts.

Her contemporary-art foundation, housed in a former bank archive in the eastern suburbs, is involved in a range of projects, including the restoration of neglected cinema classics, but its main activity is the organization of two major shows each year (spring and fall) dedicated to cutting-edge contemporary artists.

The space is only open when exhibitions are on view; check the Web site for dates.

What today remains of the old Sforzesco Castle is only a part of the original building restored by the Sforza family after the Milanese citizens had destroyed the Visconti Castle in 1447. At present, the Castle is a quadrilateral enclosing the PIAZZA DELLE ARMI, with its central tower facing the city designed by Filarete and later restored by Luca Beltrami and two cylindrical towers covered with bosses on each side (the TORRIONE DEI CARMINI and TORRIONE DI SANTO SPIRITO). At the beginning of the 20th century, some new buildings, which now house offices, were added to the walls facing south and west. The TORRE DI BONA DI SAVOIA is built on one side of the Rocchetta, just near the place where there was the old PORTA GIOVIA, one of the medieval gates providing access to the city. The FOSSATO MORTO (dead moat), which can be seen today around the inner walls of the castle, was the original moat around the medieval town walls.

Dating to 1778, this was the first opera house in Europe. It houses the Museo Teatrale alla Scala with interesting features related to the world of opera. The theatre was inaugurated on 3 August 1778 and was originally known as the New Royal-Ducal Theatre at La Scala.
Today the theatre is recognized as one of the leading opera and ballet theatres in the world and is home to the La Scala Theatre Chorus, La Scala Theatre Ballet and La Scala Theatre Orchestra.
After a three-year, $70-million renovation, the world's most famous neoclassical opera house reopened in December 2004 complete with two controversial new rooftop structures designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta, and some vastly improved stage machinery.