Milaan

Milaan, known in English as Milan, is the capital of Lombardy in northern Italy and the country’s second-most populous city. It is a global center for finance, industry, fashion, and design, with a large metropolitan area that extends well beyond the historic core.

Historically, Milaan began as the settlement Mediolanum and became an important administrative and commercial center of the Western Roman Empire. In the Middle Ages and Renaissance it developed into a powerful commune and later the seat of the Sforza dynasty, leaving palaces, churches, and fortifications that shaped its urban character.

Today Milaan hosts Italy’s financial hub and is home to the Borsa Italiana, the Italian stock exchange, now part of Euronext. The city is renowned for its fashion and design industries and hosts Milan Fashion Week, along with major trade events and showrooms.

Its cultural landmarks include the Cathedral of Milan (Duomo), the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the Sforza Castle, and the La Scala opera house. Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper is housed at Santa Maria delle Grazie. The skyline also features modern towers and the historic Pirelli Tower.

Geographically, Milaan sits on the Lombard plain near the historic river systems and is served by a dense public transport network, including the Milan Metro, trams, and buses. Two international airports, Malpensa and Linate, connect the city with destinations worldwide.

Major universities include Università degli Studi di Milano and Politecnico di Milano.

AC Milan and Inter Milan share the San Siro stadium and contribute to the city’s vibrant sporting culture.