LivingTravelGalleria Vittoria Emanuele II in Milan: the complete guide

Galleria Vittoria Emanuele II in Milan: the complete guide

If cosmopolitan Milan is Italy’s undisputed center of fashion and culture, then Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is its sophisticated core. Located in Piazza Duomo, to the left of the main entrance to Milan’s majestic cathedral (Duomo ), the impressive Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a shopping arcade adorned with a star-studded list of luxury emporiums, international chains, and large department stores, and trendy gourmet restaurants.

A symbol of Milanese style and wealth, the gallery features intricate mosaic floors and a magnificent archway to its portico-covered ‘streets’. It also shows one of Umberto Boccioni’s masterpieces, “Riot in the Gallery” ( Rissa in the Galleria ). Standing 154 feet tall and comprised of 389 tons of iron (used primarily to construct the skeletal supports of the glass roof), the Galleria is a must-see destination on any visit to the city.

Story

If these walls could talk, they would tell a story of mystery and intrigue.

The Gallery was designed by the architect Giuseppe Mengoni in the Renaissance Revival style popular at that time. Construction began in 1865 and was completed less than two years later, a surprising achievement even by modern standards. But a dark cloud hung over the grand opening, a few days before the building was inaugurated, the lifeless body of Signor Mengoni was discovered under the scaffolding. Some believed he died of a heart attack, while others speculated that he had committed suicide rather than face harsh criticism of his work.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery was nicknamed “il salotto di Milano” (Milan hall) due to its popularity among the city’s bourgeoisie. In the late 1960s, her complexion changed dramatically, dominated by radical student rallies, demonstrations, debates, and clashes with the police. But the Gallery managed to reinvent itself once again, and today it is a magnificent place to stroll, people-watch, shop and dine.

What to see and do

It turns on the testicles of Taurus the Bull. The gallery floors are decorated with the signs of the zodiac and in the octagonal center of the building, you can see a crowd gathered around one of the figures: Taurus the Bull. A symbol taken from the Savoy coat of arms, the bull is said to bring good luck to those who turn on their heels three times on their testicles. This would explain the deep hole that has formed in the pavement below the animal’s attributes.

Take a walk on the roof. The Galleria recently opened a new Highline walkway on its rooftop that stretches 200 meters from Piazza Duomo to Piazza della Scala. It can be accessed through two high-speed elevators found inside the courtyard on Via Silvio Pellico 2. The rooftop walk is open Monday through Friday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm On weekends, the Highline is open from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm The elevator costs € 12 per person.

Buy until you drop. A major retail mecca and a popular meeting point for the wealthy and modern, the Gallery’s overriding attraction is shopping. Its abundance of high-end boutiques, insanely expensive designer stores (think Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton), and a see-and-be-seen atmosphere make it a fun place for people-watching and retail therapy, or just for go shopping.

Shops and food

Among the many tempting places to eat, drink and shop in the Gallery, here are a few historical highlights:

Savini Established in 1867 during the Gallery’s Belle Epoque period, Savini restaurant is famous for serving what is considered the best risotto allo zafferano (saffron risotto) in town. The dish, a Milanese tradition, is said to have been a favorite of Princess Grace of Monaco, when she was just the American commoner and actress, Grace Kelly.

Camparino Bar. Occupying an envied spot in the Galleria overlooking the cathedral’s white lace facade, this beverage establishment keeps the ritual of the Italian aperitivo (aperitif) alive. In 1897, liquor magnate Gaspare Campari established his restaurant (along with his house and wine shop) in the gallery, adding his location in Campari in 1915. In the 1980s, the name of the bar was changed to ‘Bar Camparino ». Stop for an iconic Campari and a soda or Negroni cocktail, while snacking.

Bocca Bookstore. This charming, historic shop has been a mainstay of the Gallery since 1930. The bookseller was also once the official printer for the House of Savoy, publishing authors such as Pellico, Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, and Freud. One of the oldest bookstores of its kind still in operation, it has a retail division (domestic and foreign titles) and continues to produce books and newspapers, as well as promote cultural events, art exhibitions, book launches and conferences.

how to visit

Location: Piazza del Duomo, Milan

Metro: To get to the Galleria, take metro line 1 or 3 and get off at the Duomo stop.

Hours: The common areas of the Galleria are open 24 hours a day, while shops and restaurants establish their own hours.

Nearby sights and attractions

La Galleria is located in the heart of Milan’s historic center and as such is close to several of the city’s main attractions.

The Duomo di Milano , the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, was built in the 14th century and took more than 500 years to complete. It is located, appropriately, in the Piazza Duomo.

La Scala walking from Piazza Duomo through the Gallery corridor to the other side, you will arrive at La Scala, one of the most famous and beautiful operas in the world.

The Gallerie d’Italia is a major art museum displaying contemporary Italian works from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Starbucks opened its first location in Italy in 2018, raising some concern that the arrival of an American coffee conglomerate could threaten the existence of Italy’s revered coffee culture. A five-minute walk from the Galleria, people flock to the glitzy Starbuck store to admire the 30-foot marble-topped bar, the affogato corner where espresso is poured over ice cream, and a steakhouse and bakery at the place. Italian millennials may be in love, but we can confidently say that the county’s popular coffee shops are still thriving.

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