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Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

04 Gallerie Victor Emanuelle II (15)

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a beautiful shopping arcade in Milan near the Duomo, is the oldest shopping mall in Milan and one of the oldest in Europe.
In 1860 the government of Milan held a competition for the redevelopment of the area between the Duomo and the Scala Opera House.  The winning design was submitted by Bolognese architect, Giuseppe Mengoni.  The first stone of the mall was laid in 1865 by King Victor Emmanuel II, after whom the arcade is named.   The Gallerie was opened for business about 2 years later, but work on the structure continued for another decade, especially on the grand entrance from Piazza del Duomo.  In a sad note of irony, Mengoni fell to his …

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Doors of Milan’s Duomo

06 Doors of the Duomo

Construction of Milan’s great Cathedral (Duomo) began in the late 14th century and continued for half a millennium.  One of the last details to be completed were the main central entry doors, which date to the late 1800s. 

The church is lovely and its grand entry doors fit well with the overall opulence of the structure.  They are often admired, but only rarely opened.  These doors were crafted between 1894-1908 by Italian sculptor Ludovico Pogliaghi, themed on “stories from the life of Mary”.  Here are some of the features and panels which caught my eye.

The doors are busy and it’s easy to overlook the many exquisitely detailed panels in it. including scenes of Jesus’ life and death, as well as those …

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“Pic of the Week”, August 16, 2019: Fashion Week, Milan

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Milan Fashion Week was founded in 1958 and is held twice a year– once in the spring, and once in fall.  We were surprised to find ourselves in the middle of the fall show during our recent visit to the city, especially notable in the Brera and Duomo neighborhoods.

Fashion Week is a clothing trade show spread over multiple events and venues, including the stereotypical models on runways, models and their photographers on the streets, promotion of clothes and such.  Fashion Week is run by a non-profit association which coordinates and promotes Italian Fashion, both male and female.

Milan’s is one of four important international Fashion Weeks, the others being held in Paris, London and New York.  

(Click on thumbnails to enlarge, right …

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