Tania L.
Yelp
#148-2016:
Review number 700, and once again I picked a iconic place to write about.
Piazza Duomo is (along with the Last Supper and the Sforza Castle) one of the most visited places in Milano. Not only does it host the famous cathedral (3rd biggest Gothic cathedral in the world), but it also holds the statue of king Vittorio Emanuele II on a horse, facing the cathedral.
It was originally envisioned in the 14th century and has been since under constant evolution. (Should you want to know more, here is a useful link to take a look at https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piazza_del_Duomo,_Milan)
From the square is worth noting that many are the places worth walking towards: facing the cathedral and going clockwise: to the right of the Duomo is Palazzo Reale (which hosts some amazing art exhibits and is worth visiting even if only to the gaze in the beauty of the building (and maybe even drink drink a coffee in the bar within). There also is a street that leads towards piazza Fontana.
Next to the Palazzo Reale one can visit the Museo del Novecento (museum of the '900, which hosts contemporary art from last century). Via Guglielmo Marconi, then, brings you to piazza Armando Diaz.
Continuing the view of the square, there are some architectural amazing arcades (which host multiple stores) that lead towards via Mazzini and Via Torino. This last street is known by the locals as THE shopping street, hosting among others: Victoria's Secret (HUGE disappointment), Pimkie, Acessorize, Trony, Mango, Tanaga, Calzedonia...
Past via Torino, here comes via Orefici which, along with via Mercanti, leads towards piazza Cordusio. Whilst via Orefici is opened to traffic, Via Mercanti is pedestrian. And much more nice to walk and admire.
Another set of arcades leads towards the entrance of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (which leads towards piazza della Scala), the forefather of modern day malls, which hosts some of the fanciest (and most expensive) cafes/restaurants as well as exclusive brands such as Prada.
Finally there is another pedestrian street known to locals as well as tourists as the second main shopping street (corso Vittorio Emanuele), which leads towards San Babila Square (as well as via Montenapoleone).
The square itself is a thing of beauty, both architecturally as well as visually. It oftentimes hosts free concerts (such as NYE).
It has recently been deemed as potential target which means that security is very strict and present in great forces, which may mean a false sense of security as well as assessing that we no longer live in a world free of worries.
Worth mentioning that one can reach this square by metro (both MM1 and MM3) as well as by multiple buses/tramways.