Milan renaissance city

Sheetal Wadhwa Munshaw finds her way through a city which is as much a culture hotspot as a financial centre, a shopping haven and a fashion capital

If one were to describe the character of Milan in a phrase it would be ‘renaissance par excellence’. The city has welcomed and been home to a series of revivals and beginnings, making it a true mélange of the primeval and the contemporary. To get into a little bit of its history, Milan endured centuries of chaos caused by waves of barbarian invasions before being governed by a succession of important families: the Torrianis, the Viscontis and the Sforzas, all of which is apparent in the fortresses which are tourist attractions today. Like the rest of Italy, history remains an intrinsic part of Milanese lifestyle reflected in its architecture, culture, cuisine, art forms and every slice of life.

And while history and culture manifests in Milan’s numerous churches, monuments, palazzos, palaces and neoclassical buildings, the city is also Italy’s powerhouse of finance and fortune point. People from the outskirts of Milan drive into this engine room of the country’s stock market and home to its most important business centres. Milan is also the world’s design capital and rivals only Paris as a leading fashion centre. It has attracted talent from the world over including our own designer Tarun Tahiliani who was recently conferred the honour of showcasing his prêt collection just before the prestigious Milan Fashion Week, late last year. The city understands and welcomes new art and forms of lifestyle which was evident in its endeavour to host ‘Namaste India’, an Indian week in Milan that showcased Indian handicrafts, artisans, fashion, cuisine, films and other art forms.

Like most big cities Milan offers an eclectic mix of experiences; all of which are highlighted by its inherent sophistication and touch of class. It identifies with our every passion, be it raving romance, revelry of art or plain indulgence.

Though it is a sprawling metropolis, most of Milan’s attractions are concentrated in the city centre, between the duomo (cathedral) and the Castello Sforzesco. The duomo is the best place to begin exploring the city and is within strolling distance of dozens of historic sites. The city’s efficient underground railway, the Metropolitana Milanesa (MM) has a stop here. Apart from the city centre, another interesting area is the Brera, immediately north of the duomo, with its plush galleries and fashionable shopping streets. Also check out Navigli to the south. Shopping, whether of the window variety or - for those who can afford it - the real thing, is of an almost religious significance. Fashion in Milan is followed with more fervour than religion. The hip and stylish Milanese look like mannequins on the ramp as they make their way to work, to the movies or simply to grab a cup of coffee. Naturally, living in a city that only rivals Paris, and is home to the creative genius of Armani, Gucci, Versace and other stalwarts in the world of fashion, the denizens of Milan are dressed to kill, no matter what the occasion. For those of you who can’t afford to shop in the fashion capital of Monte Napoleone that is home to the biggest fashion labels - including Valentino, Versace, Venini, Armani -try the more affordable labels of Mango and Zara.

While you could spend a lifetime gaping at the en vogue apparels, you could also shop for exquisite jewellery - Milan is home to some of the finest brands in designer jewellery in the world and designers from the world over visit to draw inspiration from the sparkling Italian designs. Don’t go back without a pair of original Italian shoes and then of course there are designer bags, leather goods, houseware, furniture, music, art and paintings. Foodies must spend some time choosing from Milan’s choice selection of world class Italian wines. In the land of pasta, take your pick from the plain pennes and spaghettis to the more exciting spirals on offer. Choose from the freshest original Italian herbs, pestos and not to mention world renowned melt-in-the-mouth cheeses.

Needless to say, like most European cities Milan is expensive but it is a shopper’s haven for those who can afford it.

But shopping is far from being Milan’s only attraction. For culture vultures and music lovers, the city’s Renaissance character comes to life in the world renowned Teatro alla Scala - one of the world’s greatest operas houses which has just been restored. If you’re an opera buff, it’s an absolute shame if you miss this. For those of you with a penchant for symphonic and chamber music, there’s the Conservatorio - the city’s most prestigious music school founded in 1807.

Art of course is an integral part of Italian lifestyle and Milan is no exception. The city boasts numerous theatres staging plays ranging from classical to avant garde, operetta, contemporary dance and variety shows.

But for those of you looking to just experience one of Milan’s many watering holes, trendy bars, sophisticated lounges or simply enjoying some live music and rubbing shoulders with chic inhabitants, Milan’s just the place for you to be. The city can pretty much satiate any appetite since it is every gourmet’s paradise. Milan dishes up a wide range from traditional classical recipes to more contemporary fusion cuisine. It’s a great place to sample delectable Italian regional cuisines. It’s also a great place to try out some original pizzas and sample some of the finest world cuisine stirred up by immigrants who call Milan their home.

A treat for any tourist, Milan’s also forging ahead as a world class convention city due to its essential business-like layout and demeanor and of course its convention venues of international standards, sterling examples of which are the swanky Fiera Milano and for smaller intimate gatherings there is the much raved about Four Seasons Hotel Milan among a host of other spiffy hotels located in the heart of the city.