Milano Centrale’s Historic Landmarks: Palaces, Churches, and Monuments

The northern Italian city of Milan is a fantastic place to visit.

This international capital of fashion is also one of the economic engines of modern Italy, so it’s one of the wealthiest cities in the whole country. But after all, this is still Italy, where art, history, and culture are never far away.

Pro tip! Drop off your bags at luggage storage in Milan and take a deep dive into the fascinating history of the city. Along the way, you’ll encounter some of the most beautiful buildings not just in the city but in all of northern Italy.

Milan’s central train station, built during Mussolini’s dictatorship in the 1930s, lies just to the northeast of the ancient heart of the city. Functioning as a central transportation hub for the whole city, it’s easy to get to just about anywhere in Milan from here. That means you’ll have easy access to some of the most historic locations in this famous city.

Before the birth of modern Italy, the Italian peninsula was divided into multiple small city-states that often went to war with each other and with their neighbors. Milan was the center of a powerful dukedom that was one of the wealthiest states of the Renaissance, and you can still see the echoes of that former wealth and power at these locations throughout the city.

Milan Cathedral

You can’t go to Milan and not see its spectacular cathedral, or Duomo. This huge structure is officially the largest church in Italy since St. Peter’s Basilica is technically in Vatican City, a separate country. Construction on the cathedral began in 1386, but the final details weren’t completed until 1965. When you see the level of detail in the architecture and statues of this famous church, you’ll understand why.

The streets of central Milan radiate out from the cathedral, making it the geographical as well as spiritual heart of the city. The cathedral has also had a starring role in history, as this was where Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned the King of Italy. With more than 3000 statues both inside and outside the Cathedral, this church also has more statues than any other building in the world. Many of the statues can’t be seen from ground level, so for a small fee, you can ascend to the roof and see more of the details of the Cathedral’s construction up close, as well as enjoy great views over the city center. The church itself is free to enter, so it’s worth spending a little extra to see more of this remarkable building.

Milan Natural History Museum

As fascinating as Milan’s human history is, there’s more to discover in this ancient city. The Milan Natural History Museum is a great place to learn more about the natural world and explore animals, plants, and minerals to get a different view of the past.

Founded in 1838 and located in a 19th-century villa, the museum is divided into five sections covering minerals, paleontology, human evolution, invertebrate animals, and vertebrate animals. Highlights include Stan, one of the most complete Tyrannosaurus skeletons ever found, along with several other dinosaur fossils. Also, don’t miss the colossal reconstructed sperm whale skeleton in the Vertebrate Zoology section of the museum.

Sforza Castle

During the Renaissance, the powerful Sforza family held sway over the Duchy of Milan. This impressive castle, built in the 15th century on the orders of Francesco Sforza, occupies the location of an old Roman fortress that was at one point the capital of the Roman Empire. One of the biggest fortresses in all of Europe during its heyday, this castle is the perfect place to learn more about the history of the independent state of Milan and the family that ruled over it.

The castle is almost as impressive for the art it contains as the history it has witnessed. The castle is home to the last statue legendary Renaissance sculptor Michelangelo ever worked on, an unfinished Pieta from 1564 that shows the artist’s creative process in motion. The on-site art gallery also contains priceless masterpieces by Canaletto, Titian, and Tintoretto. The castle is also home to Milan’s archaeological museum, so you can get a crash course in the history and culture of the city from the earliest times right up to the modern age at this singular location.

Santa Maria delle Grazie

This beautiful church, completed in 1497, might be worth visiting for its historical interest alone. But that’s not what has made it one of Milan’s top tourist attractions. Instead, the fact that this church contains a masterpiece by one of the most famous artists of all time, Leonardo da Vinci, has made it famous.

Leonardo’s Last Supper was commissioned as part of the plan to renovate the church by Ludovico Sforza. This mysterious painting is one of the best-known in the world and had a major impact on the development of European art in the centuries that followed.

Only 35 people are allowed in at a time to see this masterpiece, so you’ll want to book tickets in advance to make sure you don’t miss out.

Historical Milan

Milan is an ancient city with a history as rich as any other major town in Italy. If you’re a history buff, you’ll find plenty to like in this beautiful city. And even if you have only a more passing interest in the past, these beautiful buildings make exceptional places to visit. Leave the bags behind and immerse yourself in the complex history of one of Italy’s great cities, and you’ll leave with a greater understanding of what has made Milan the unique city it is today.