Discover Milan: 11 Surprising Fun Facts You Never Knew About Italy's Fashion Capital

1. Milan's Gondola Glory Days

Once upon a time in Milan, gondolas were all the rage: Milan's Navigli canals, built between the 12th and 16th centuries, were used to transport goods, including marble for the famous Duomo Cathedral, and played a crucial role in the city's defense, irrigation, and milling industries.
Source => smartcitiesdive.com

2. La Scala's Heavenly Origins

Hold on to your arias and grab some Holy Water, because Milan's opera house has some divine origins: La Scala was built on the site of the former church of Santa Maria alla Scala, and opened in 1778 as a hotspot for nobles, world-class singers, and Italy's finest operatic artists, while also hosting an Academy for the Performing Arts.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Discover the ancient world's premier shopping destination, Trajan's Market in Rome, a multi-story marvel that featured not only shops but also offices, apartments, and even a library! Explore its rich history and imagine the bustling atmosphere of the past.✨🛍️🏛️

=> Fun Facts about Rome

3. Saint Ambrose's Devilish Duel

Once upon a time in Milan, Satan had a "horny" encounter with Saint Ambrose: legend has it that the patron saint of the city kicked the devil in his behind, leaving behind a pair of horn-shaped holes in a column at the entrance of the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio, now known as the Colonna del Diavolo, where both the mark of the saint's boot and the devil's horns remain for all to see.
Source => milantips.com

4. Glam & Glory: Milan's Fashion Capital

Strut down the catwalk with all the grace of a llama wearing heels, because there's more than pizza and pasta cookin' in Milan's kitchen: This champion of chic and style is not just one of the renowned big four in the fashion world, but also flaunts its fashionista talents with its very own fabulous fashion week, sharing the esteemed title of a fashion capital alongside Paris, London, and New York City!
Source => wordnerd.eu

5. Milan's Soaring, Holy Skyscraper

Feeling sky-high and a little bit holy? Why, you must be talking about Milan's favorite deep-fried spire: The Madonnina spire of Milan Cathedral is 108.5 meters high and boasts a polychrome statue of the Virgin Mary, designed by Giuseppe Perego in 1762, serving as an iconic symbol of the city's skyline.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

6. Da Vinci: Artist, Inventor...Plumber?

Leonardo da Vinci was a Renaissance Jack of all trades: part artist, inventor, and even...plumber? Well, sort of: as a consultant engineer under the Duke of Milan for 20 years, da Vinci helped develop the miter gate, an innovative self-sealing lock system adopted worldwide – including in major canals like the Panama and Suez – which made locking and maintaining canals a smooth sail.
Source => leonardo-da-vinci.net

7. Panettone's Romantic Recipe Mystery

In a delicious twist of fate worthy of a Shakespearean comedy, star-crossed lovers and kitchen mishaps vie for the title of panettone progenitor: the true origins of this iconic Milanese fruitcake remain a delightful enigma, with some attributing it to a lovestruck falcon trainer named Ughetto, who concocted the sweet treat to woo his sweetheart, while others swear by a resourceful scullery cook named Toni who turned a burnt holiday cake into a Duke-pleasing, raisin-imbued wonder now known as pan de Toni.
Source => bakefromscratch.com

8. Pirelli Tower: Italy's Catwalk Skyscraper

In the land of pasta and fashion, there's one skyscraper that knows a thing or two about dressing up: The Pirelli Tower, once Italy's tallest building at 127 meters (417 feet), was completed in 1958 and flaunts a uniquely chic design with tapered sides and a structural skeleton that inspired architectural trendsetters like the Pan Am Building in New York and the National Mutual West Plaza in Auckland. Beyond its stylish wardrobe, the Pirelli Tower still struts as a symbol of Milan's economic recovery after World War II.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. Shop in Style with Fido in Milan

Who let the dogs in? Milan, apparently! This Italian fashion capital is the paw-fect shopping getaway for man's best friend: Milan welcomes furry friends at their malls, but be prepared to remain cycle-free in the 19th-century Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II while avoiding the feeding of winged wanderers and ensuring your pooch sticks to its muzzle manners.
Source => tripadvisor.com

10. Milan's Historic Tramway Adventure

Forget roller coasters, Milan has a scenic ride that's been rolling since 1881: The city boasts one of the world's largest tramway networks, stretching across 112 miles and 17 urban lines with a unique 1,445 mm track gauge, cruising through or finishing at the iconic Piazza del Duomo, all operated by Azienda Trasporti Milanesi.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

11. Daredevil Dreams: Duomo's Rooftop Views

Did you hear the one about the daredevil who fell from a rooftop in Milan? He had quite the Cathedral landing! No worries, though: Milan's Duomo cathedral allows visitors to climb its rooftop terraces safely, with 251 steps or an elevator, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city and showcasing its stunning architecture, statues, and marble.
Source => tripadvisor.com