The historic city stadium hosts an exceptional derby
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to San Siro, the Football Ladder. In these Champions League semi-finals you will face:
Ac Milan 19 Scudetti, 5 Coppa Italia, 7 Supercoppe Italiane, 7 Champions League, 5 European Super Cups, 2 Cup Cups, 3 Intercontinental Cups and 1 FIFA Club World Cup.
Fc Internazionale Milano 19 Scudetti, 8 Coppe Italia 7 Supercoppe Italiane, 3 Champions League, 3 UEFA/Europa League, 1 FIFA Word Cup.
The palmares of the two Milanese sports clubs are not the richest in the world. But today they make Milan the only city to have won the Champions League with two different teams.
Reading or hearing “Milan” and “Champions” in the same sentence certainly does not cause any wonder, indeed: the city, which is preparing to host the round-robin matches of the Champions League semi-final between its two home teams, Inter and Milan to decide who will go to the 2023 Champions League final and clash with Real Madrid or Manchester City, boasts a passion for the ball as visceral as winning.
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Inside it is dotted with hundreds of venues where fans gather to discuss, confront, have fun and see the games together. The cult place undoubtedly remains the stadium of San Siro, also known as Stadium Meazza which, with its 80 thousand seats, is the hub of the city’s football life and at the same time a symbol recognized worldwide..
Certainly the level of involvement of the fans of Inter and Milan is similar to that of other European cities, but Milan is the only city of origin of two teams that have both won the Champions League, a real record that can make it absolutely special!
Let’s find out more about these two winning teams, Inter and Milan, the San Siro stadium and the city in general that, in addition to hosting fans from Italy and Europe, offers a series of tourist attractions to see at least once in a lifetime.
Milan and the link with the two city teams.
ACMilan is the oldest team, since it was founded way back in 1899. It has won 7 Champions League titles and boasts 18 titles. Throughout its history it has engaged world-famous champions and, just like Inter, is known and loved in any part of the world.
To better understand and know the city of Milan it is absolutely necessary to discover its football life, marked by a strong passion and desire to win. When Milan is in trouble the whole city suffers and, on the contrary, when the team wins, the whole city celebrates and rejoices without stopping.
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In spite of being over 100 years old, Inter Football Club Milano is the youngest of the two major teams in Milan: founded in 1908, together with AC Milan it boasts 18 championships and a large number of Italian and international trophies.
Inter is one of the Italian teams with the most fans in the world; this is because, since its inception, it has always hosted great international champions, which, together with great victories like the Triplete of 2009/2010, has brought its name and popularity to a world level. The Inter Clubs are also in the most unthinkable places and updated news about the team can be found every day online in any language.
In a nutshell, there are very few factors that, like football, have the ability to influence the mood and atmosphere of the city even in a city like Milan, the financial heart of Italy and avant-garde cities for services and social dynamics.
It is enough to observe the fans who, during the championship Sundays, roam the streets with serious and concentrated faces, wearing the colors of their favorite club. Fans of all walks of life, united by passion, divided by the fans but all somehow Milanese.
It is certainly possible to say that the support for one of the teams in Milan is a real meeting point between different languages, cultures and traditions, united by the same passion for the team of the heart!
San Siro Stadium (Meazza): icon of Milanese football
Also known as “La Scala del Calcio”, the San Siro Stadium is one of the symbols par excellence of Milan, both for the prestige of the events it hosts, both for its cultural importance. Since the seventies, in fact, it hosts not only fierce football matches, but also great concerts with national and international stars.
Its history began in 1925, when the president of Milan, Piero Pirelli, asked that a football stadium be built near the Hippodrome. The structure, inspired by the model of the English stadiums, was completed in just over a year to accommodate, at the time, 35 thousand spectators. Its official opening took place in 1926 obviously with an Milan-Inter derby.
After purchasing it, the City of Milan decided, in 1935, to expand it by adding four connecting curves between the stands, increasing the capacity to 55 thousand seats. Then a supporting structure dedicated to a second ring of stands is built; the maximum spectators, at this point, amounted to just under 100 thousand. At the same time, the night lighting system is completed.
Following the installation of the luminous scoreboard, the stadium is named in memory of Giuseppe Meazza, Milan player of both Inter and Milan and twice World Champion with the Italian National Team.
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A last renovation of the structure dates back to 1990, on the occasion of the World Cup. The capacity is around 80 thousand seats but with homologated seats. To date, the San Siro Stadium is the largest in Italy and, with its structure with high standards of comfort and safety, it falls into the UEFA Category 4 that allows to host international sports events.
What to see and do in Milan for the Champions League
Going to Milan to watch a Champions League match or any other football, fashion or design competition, can be a useful opportunity to go around the city and visit the characteristic places. What to see, then, in Milan in a couple of days? Here are some suggestions:
Duomo di Milano
The Duomo is certainly the most representative place of the city of Milan. The cathedral is dedicated to Santa Maria Nascente, built at the behest of Gian Galeazzo Visconti; it is a symbol of the city, as well as one of the first to be seen as soon as you reach Milan.
The construction of the Cathedral began in 1386 and gave rise to an extraordinary moment, which boasts beautiful stained glass windows and beautiful carved decorations. It is an evident manifestation of Gothic architecture, which blends Nordic characters with typical Lombard elements.
The structure is completed by the main spire on which stands the famous Madonnina, a statue 4 meters high and made of gilded copper. From its terraces you can enjoy an excellent view and an extraordinary view of the Alps.
If you pass in Piazza Duomo towards sunset you will see it tinged with a wonderful pink light.
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Museo del Novecento
A few steps from Piazza Duomo is the Palazzo dell’Arengario that houses the Museum of the twentieth century. It consists of a collection of over 400 works of Italian art placed in chronological order, which also houses paintings by Picasso, Braque, Klee, Kandinskij and Modigliani. Among the futurists stand out Balla, Boccioni, Carrà, Depero, Severini and Soffici, while the twenties and thirties are represented by Morandi, de Chirico and Marino Marini. One floor is entirely dedicated to Lucio Fontana.
Finally, walking along the suspended walkway, you reach Palazzo Reale to visit the section of works created between the sixties and eighties: Kinetic and Programmed Art, Pop, analytical paintings and conceptual art with Kounellis, Paladin and others.
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Last Supper of Leonardo da Vinci
The famous painting The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci is kept inside the refectory of the Dominican convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. The work dates back to 1494 and was made dry directly on the wall.
Over time, unfortunately, the painting has suffered serious damage caused by environmental conditions and historical events, so currently it is possible to admire only part of it. The restorations have been numerous and, especially that of 1999, has managed to bring to light the original colors.
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Navigli
Milan is not a seaside city, but water is certainly not missing; the Navigli project, in fact, was created to connect Milan with Lake Como, the Adda, Lake Maggiore and the Po, and then arrive at northern Europe and, finally, the sea.
The origin of the Navigli dates back to the twelfth century: the first canal, the Ticinello, dates back to 1179 and gave rise to the construction of the great Naviglio. In 1457, then, Francesco Sforza commissioned Bertola da Novate to build the Martesana Canal, but only Ludovico il Moro was able to accomplish the unthinkable: he commissioned Leonardo da Vinci to design a system of locks to connect Milan with Lake Como. The connection between Milan and the Po, however, is due to Napoleon.
The Navigli have known periods of great wealth alternated with moments of total abandonment. Despite this, they are still very much loved and the citizens love to walk and attend the various clubs that arise around them. In fact it is one of the hearts of the Milanese nightlife that honors the Italian rite of the evening aperitif.
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Castello Sforzesco
The Castello Sforzesco was built 750 years ago by order of Galeazzo II, but it was Francesco Sforza who completed it and gave it his name. In the past, its role has always been predominantly military, but now it is home to many events and initiatives. It is one of the largest castles in Europe and a meeting place for artists and intellectuals.
Inside you can visit several museums:
- il Museo d’Arte Antica;
- la Pinacoteca;
- le raccolte d’Arte Applicata;
- il Museo degli Strumenti Musicali;
- il Museo della Preistoria e Protostoria;
- il Museo Egizio.
Behind the castle is Parco Sempione, the green lung of the city.
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Galleria Vittorio Emanuele
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, also called “the living room of Milan”, was built in the first half of the nineteenth century to compete with the urban evolution of the great European capitals.
The initial idea was a covered passage that connected Piazza Duomo and Piazza della Scala; 176 architects put themselves in play, but in the end won the project of Giuseppe Mengoni, which has created a tunnel crossed by a transverse arm and with a large octagonal room located in the center of the intersection.
Unfortunately, Mengoni died in mysterious circumstances during an inspection; many believe it was a random accident, others of real suicide as a result of numerous criticisms directed at its realization and subsequent disappointment.
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Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio
The second most important church in Milan, after that of the Duomo, is the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio. Built in the sixteenth century at the behest of the bishop of Milan, Ambrose precisely, was built following the canons of Romanesque architecture of the end of the year one thousand.
The Basilica is an example of Lombard Romanesque architecture, although its appearance has undergone several changes over time. Inside it houses the early Christian sarcophagus, called of Stilicho, of the fourth century. In the underground crypt, however, are preserved the remains of Saints Ambrose, Protaso and Gervaso.
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Church of San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore
Dating back to the early sixteenth century, the Church of San Maurizio was annexed to the Major Monastery of the Benedictine Order, later demolished and of which only the entrance cloister remains.
While the façade on Corso Magenta is simple and linear, the interior is full of wonderful frescoes that cover the entire architectural structure. The decorations extend over 4 thousand square meters and were made by famous sixteenth-century masters, such as Bernardino Luini, Simone Peterzano, Antonio Campi, Lomazzo, Bergognone and Boltraffio.
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Parco Sempione
The Sempione Park is, as mentioned, the green lung of Milan, a true oasis in a city famous for being chaotic enough. It is located behind the Castello Sforzesco and allows the Milanese to take a breath of fresh air away from city traffic.
Inside the park you can do sports and walks, relax and let the little ones play, take the dog around and meet friends. It houses several play areas, basketball and volleyball courts and a library and, at various times of the year, also fairs, events and various cultural events.
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Albergo Diurno Venezia
Lovers of the Belle Epoque will surely love the Albergo Diurno Venezia, located below Piazza Guglielmo Oberdan near the entrance of the central Metro Porta Venezia.
It is a very special experience to live in this daily hotel designed by Piero Portaluppi and used in the twenties as a stop for all those Milanese who, returning from work or a trip, they needed to relax for a few hours before returning home.
At the time, of course, being able to do this was a real luxury, considering that you could also use a bathroom in the room. Inside, then, it was possible to go to the barber and the beautician and go to the spa.
At the moment the hotel is closed for security reasons and we are still waiting for a proper restoration. It is scheduled to reopen, and even if occasionally it is opened by some associations during events such as Fashion Week or Design Week there are no certain dates.
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Neighborhood La Maggiolina
Among the historic districts of Milan is La Maggiolina, on the border with the Journalists’ Quarter, which takes its name from an old farmhouse on the banks of Seveso. It tends never to be among the default tourist destinations, but it would deserve much more attention because of its curious mushroom-shaped houses or igloos, built in the ’40s some survive after several were demolished in the ’60s.
The houses are arranged on two levels and are still inhabited today. They offer a different walk, which leads to the discovery of an almost completely unknown aspect of Milan.
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Villa Invernizzi and pink flamingos
Strange but true, in the center of Milan there is a garden where pink flamingos live: it is Villa Invernizzi, which takes its name from the owners, with its Art Nouveau facade overlooking Corso Venezia.
Flamingos were imported into the city from South America in the mid-twentieth century, when it was still permissible to do so, and from that moment on a real colony was formed that attracts a large number of visitors every year. Their survival is due to the entrepreneur Cavalier Invernizzi, who was able to recreate their ideal habitat.
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The villa, today, is owned by the Fondazione Romeo and Enrica Invernizzi, which also deals with the protection of flamingos. The latter, usually, never approach the gates, but let themselves be observed from afar. In any case, seeing them is always a pleasant sight!
Copertina: artribune
