How Milan started its quest for beauty? The Belle Epoque The second half of the nineteenth century was a crucial period for the city. The whole Piazza del Duomo was subject to a relevant renovation. Architect Giuseppe Mengoni was in charge of the construction of the Galleria which was dedicated to the King of Italy as well as the equestrian monument in the middle of the square. The first powerhouse of continental Europe was installed in Milan in 1883 to enlighten the streets around the city centre. This demonstrates how eager the Milanese society was to keep up with the…
Posts tagged as “history of Milan”
The Spanish domination: 12th of October 1492 is an important milestone in the history of the world. Christopher Columbus arrived to what he believed were the Indies and discovered America. This date marks the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the modern era. While Columbus’s fleet was sailing across the Atlantic Ocean in Milan Ludovico il Moro, lord of the city, was struggling to maintain his power against the French first and then the Spanish invaders. The Emperor Charles the Fifth conquered the city and so begun a 160 years period of Spanish domination. The Mediterranean area…
]It is hard to recap the middle ages in a few lines but we will give it a try. Steady, ready…go! The end of the Roman Empire During the whole fifth century AD Milan was often under attack. The barbarian invasions seriously affected the economy and prosperity of the city. In 452 AD Attila led his people (the Huns) to the city and confiscated goods and properties of the Milanese people. In 493 Teodorico (King of the Ostrogoths) defeated Odoacre responsible of the deposition of the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire, Romolus Augustus. The uncertainty of the stability led Iustinian…
In 222 BC the Romans conquered the Celtic settlement and in 286 BC Milan, then called Mediolanum, became the capital of the Western Roman empire under Diocletian. In 313 AD the emperor Constantine the first, through the Edict of Milan guaranteed to the Christians freedom of religion. In 374 AD Ambrosgio became the archbishop of Milan by acclamation. The people wanted him to lead the Milanese church and he became priest on the 7th of December. This day is still a local holyday for the city of Milan. During his mandate Ambrosius commissioned the construction of three churches: the Basilica…