The popular meeting place for both Milanese and tourists, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele is one of the first buildings constructed with glass and cast iron, and is an ancestor of the present shopping malls.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele
The building has been designed in 1861 by by the architect Giuseppe Mengoni, and it
was opened several years later by the king, Vittorio Emanuele II, after whom it was named.
The central octagonal area on the floor is covered by 47-m high glass dome in it is considered as the centre of the city, called by locals ‘Ottagono’. Four wings run from Ottagono to four directions of the world, which is mirroed by the ceiling with mosaics of four continents: Africa,Asia,Europe and America.
The interior is filled with brand shops and restaurants, hence the name ‘Galleria’.
You may find here the best Italian restaurants like Savini,Art Nouveau classic Zucca’s Bar historic Biffi Caffè ( founded in 1867 ) and modern fast food shops including McDonalds.
There are the best bookstores in Milan, antique shops, silverware Bernasconi and brand fashion names like Prada, gucci or Louis Vitton.
Il salotto di Milano is the place to see and to be seen, as the main wing connects Piazza del Duomo with Piazza della Scala, it is a promenade for spectators attending the evening performances in famous Teatro alla Scala.
[ photo courtesy of Francesco Sgroi]
