Some people have actually fallen in love with Milan at first sight as soon as they set foot on its soil (and inhaled the exhaust of its traffic jams...) but the majority of those who visit Milan feel betrayed by its fast-paced work ethic.

This city's historical monuments are half hidden by office buildings so that, upon arrival, you may view Milan as yet another sprawling, inhumane commercial monolith that you eagerly avoid as a tourist.

Hold it! Milan is not inhumane, certainly not more than any other city of its size and wealth, and it does have a very long history and rich cultural traditions.

Ambrosiani & Milanesi • Milan versus Rome ? • Shopping districts, residential area and 'quartieri popolari' • Close to Europe ?

Capital of the Roman Empire • Sacking and decline • An autonomous city • The Visconti and the Sforzas • The Spanish domination • The Hapsburgs • Napoleon • The Austro-Hungarians • The Kingdom of Italy • Fascism • The post-war period

Your way • Money • Tobacco • Films, videos & cameras • Mail • Telephones • Useful telephone numbers • Country direct • Emergencies • Foreign Consulates

By car • Guarded parking lots • Gasoline pumps • Rent A Car • Trams and buses • Subway / Underground • Milan on foot

Magazines and newspapers • Churches of various denominations • Hair dressers • Massages, makeups etcetera • Tailoring services • Laundries

Travel agencies • By plane • Airline offices • By train • Stazione centrale • Stazione Garibaldi • Ferrovie Nord Milano • By bus • By car

Deluxe • Expensive • Moderate • Inexpensive • Apartments • Campings • 'In affitto'

Top notch • In the very center • Via Torino • Navigli • Brera • Porta Venezia • Stazione Centrale • Porta Garibaldi • Paolo Sarpi • Sempione / Fiera • Porta Romana • Porta Vittoria • (Almost) open country