Italy – Day 2b – More of Milan

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (13 May 1999)

To one side of the magnificent Duomo on the square is The Galleria, which some consider the world’s first indoor mall. Known formally as Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, it is named for Victor Emanuel, the first ruler of the unified Kingdom of Italy since the 6th century. He was King of Sardinia before this promotion in 1861. The Galleria was completed in 1877.

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (17 February 2018)

The place is noted for the glass and iron roof above and luxury shopping opportunities below. Two intersecting arcades create a great space under the central dome. There are mosaic floor decorations and detailed architectural features in all directions. They don’t build them like that anymore. We had a nice, relaxing lunch, people-watching as we dined, before exiting at the Statue of Leonardo.

Milan Galleria, Looking Toward Statue of Leonardo da Vinci (17 February 2018)

In front of Leonardo is a busy, cobblestone street and on the other side is the La Scala opera house__the Yankee Stadium, the St. Andrews of opera houses.

Completed in 1778, it is the cultural epicenter of Milan…and looks the part since it was extensively renovated in 2002-04. The attached opera museum has paintings, statuary and memorabilia from the theater’s long, impressive history.

La Scala Opera House, Milan (17 February 2018)

The opera season opens on December 7, the feast day of Milan’s patron St. Ambrose. For us, it’s Pearl Harbor Day. I suspect for Milan, it’s the biggest day on the cultural calendar.

The museum ticket includes a view of the theater from one of the SIX levels of box seating. As I stared into this amazing, plush space, it was easy to imagine dressing ‘to the nines’ and being HERE with the high-rollers, watching world-class opera.

Inside La Scala Opera House (17 February 2018)

We happened to be there during Carnivale. Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday were earlier this week. I guess the weekend after is the time when the kids can get some fun in before all that Lenten discipline and deprivation. There were many costumed little ones in the Duomo Square and confetti and balloons were everywhere. By Monday, the Carnivale crowds were gone and only the tourists remained.

As is my wont, we’re walking through the Galleria and I’m scanning for image ideas. As I noted in last April’s Tip of the Day, I try to remember to look up now and then. Near the entrance, against the ornate ceiling, there was a Minion that had almost succeeded in his escape.

Minion on the Loose, Milan (19 February 2018)

Buona fortuna, little guy.
Maybe next time…