Milan III

Besides checking out the Duomo during our second day in Milan, we also saw a lot of other things around the city. We started by walking to Castello Sfrozesco, a fortress built in the 1300s and later turned into a palace. Today it is the home to a number of museums.

The castle opens up on the backside to Parco Sempione, and large and beautiful park in the middle of the city. We went for a walk through the park and admired all the old trees and buildings. There was an amphitheatre from the 1800s (Napolean was there when it opened!) that is used for concerts and weddings today.

Then we made our way to the Navigli area to check out the canals. Construction on the canals started in the 12th century, but they were improved with the help of Leonardo da Vinci in the 15th century. Today there are lots of shops and cafes along the water – we ate here for lunch and enjoyed the area so much, we came back for dinner!

We really enjoyed our time in Milan. It is not as touristy of a city as Rome or Florence and doesn’t have as many big sights, but that made it fun to explore and get off the beaten path a little bit. We set off the next morning for a few days of sun and relaxation at Lake Como – more on that next time!

We stopped for some panzerotti, a tasty (and very popular!) type of street food in a shop behind the Duomo.

 

Outside the Castello Sforzesco

 

The main entrance to the castle. It actually collapsed in 1521 when gunpowder that was being stored in here exploded, and was rebuilt in 1905.

 

The Arco della Pace was originally intended to be built in honour of Napoleon’s victories, but the construction plan was changed 20 years later so that it commemorates peace instead.

 

Walking down one of the streets towards to canal – it was full of sidewalk cafes and colourful shops

 

Looking down the canal at lunch time

 

A field behind the San Lorenzo alle Colonne, a round church from the 4th century, although it has been rebuilt a few times due to fires

 

A chocolate fountain in the window of one of the gelato shops – yum!

 

Enjoying a glass of wine along the canal at dinner time

 

While we were eating dinner, a man zoomed by us along the canal in a light up jet-pack suit. He was doing spins and changing directions – it was really fun to watch!