{"id":804,"date":"2020-11-12T13:55:31","date_gmt":"2020-11-12T13:55:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zainoo.com\/blog\/en\/?p=804"},"modified":"2020-11-12T13:55:31","modified_gmt":"2020-11-12T13:55:31","slug":"city-of-arts-milan-culture-meets-industrialisation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zainoo.com\/blog\/en\/2020\/11\/12\/city-of-arts-milan-culture-meets-industrialisation\/","title":{"rendered":"City of arts Milan \u2013 culture meets industrialisation"},"content":{"rendered":"

City of fashion, of industry and media \u2013 Milan has a special role in Italy and beyond. The country\u2019s second-largest city and capital of Lombardy with approx. 1.4 million inhabitants is the hub of the north, situated ideally, and a point of attraction for people from across the globe. Milan or Milano, to use its Italian name, derives from the Latin word \u201cMediolanum\u201d, meaning \u201cin the middle of the plain\u201d. Its suburbs extend to other prominent city of arts, such as Como and Bergamo, with the entire greater area emitting a truly special atmosphere. We have picked a few favourites you absolutely must check out during your next visit of the city of arts that is Milan.<\/p>\n

From Celtic settlement to industrialised metropolis<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Sure, we always say something along those lines, but Milan\u2019s history really is exquisitely exciting. First settlement of the area by the Insubres dates to around 400 BC. The Romans conquered this Celtic settlement just under 200 years later and renamed it Mediolanum \u2013 you might have heard that word before. However, it would take a very long time until today\u2019s Milan gained any significance. West Roman emperors resided here in the 4th<\/sup> century AD before the imperial court was moved to Ravenna. There are hardly any traces of ancient Roman architecture left \u2013 Colonne di San Lorenzo being a noteworthy exception \u2013 as the Ostrogoths completely destroyed Milan 539. The city met a similar fate over 600 years later at the hands of Barbarossa. However, its allied cities Mantua, Brescia, Verona and Bergamo started the reconstruction process only five years later.<\/p>\n

Said reconstruction finally brought the desired boom. Milan assumed the leading role in the Lombard League from 1167 onward and became a signoria after gaining its independence. After having been conquered by the House of Sforza in 1450, Milan was converted into an astonishing Renaissance gem only to be hotly contested soon after. All of Northern Italy fell to the Habsburg in 1525, was given to the Spanish line soon after and only returned to the Austrian side in the early 18th<\/sup> century. Napoleon would later get his piece of Milan before it was passed to Austria \u2013 again \u2013 and eventually incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy. Immigrants from other parts of the country caused Milan to grow tremendously during the industrialisation with another boom period following the end of the Second World War. Even though the number of inhabitants sunk due to migration to the great metropolitan area, Milan remains a giant.<\/p>\n

Milan, city of churches<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Barbarossa only spared a few churches when he conquered and completely destroyed the city 1162. That is certainly part of why there is such a plethora of sacral buildings in Milan. Here are some of our favourites:<\/p>\n