Milan 13-15 May Part 1

We spent 85 euros on transport seeing Lake Como.  Very popular with most tourists, but wish we'd stayed in Milan.  Lake Como is a very big lake bordered by small towns (we took a 2 hour ferry trip to Bellagio) looking much alike, nice buildings in good condition used for ? tourists ? 

Como

 Where were the individual pleasure boats?  Saw 1 sailing boat and 2 dinghies. Sydney Harbour or Lake Eacham on the Atherton Tablelands would be worth 85 euros.

Bellagio

That night we dined at Mio, 1 door from our apartment.  A great choice!  We were lucky to get in as it was Friday. We started with octopus, then shared a whole baked fish (expertly filleted after we had inspected the cooked fish) with a baked dish of potatoes, olives and small tomatoes  and a bottle of local white wine. All delicious.

The next day, having mastered the art of buying a 3 euro day ticket, we caught a bus, a train on one line, changed to another line and got ourselves to the central area of Milan, the Duomo.  It's the biggest church in Italy (the Vatican is not in Italy). We saw it the next day as part of a tour and learned so much more from our guide, Ludovic, who gave interesting insights into Milanese attitudes as well as much information about the sights. On top of the Duomo is the 4m high statue, La Madonnina, protector of the city.  The Pirelli building was higher than the statue, so in order to ensure her protection, a small Madonna was placed on top.

   Although Gothic in style, it is wider than it is high, an Italian tradition for churches.  The round front arches are Baroque.  The Duomo was started in 1396 and subject to many influences before completion in 1965. 

There are 3100 to 3400 statues inside and out, mostly Old Testament figures on the northern side and New Testament on the southern. However, a lower row of figures supporting columns are not Christian but Greek; Moses with his horns (rays of light) is on the southern side, next to a nonentity, a Roman soldier.  Outside is an unusual nude Eve. An Archbishop recently allowed a huge nude in an ad covering a section under restoration. That nude caused much consternation amongst the faithful. In fact, money for restoration and preservation is raised partly by such ads.  

Also facing the central square is a shopping arcade, Galleria Victor Emmanuele, built in 1862 to celebrate the  new state of Italy. Floor panels are tiled with the emblems of the various parts of Italy. 

 The Gallery was thought cursed when the architect died, so on the Turin bull embem,people grind one heel into the bull’s balls (a lucky charm which explains the hollow there - and the peculiar behaviour of tourists).   Galleria originally had theatres, cafes, Bohemian atmosphere.  Now many upper floor areas are empty – rents too high.

This blog is getting too long so I'll call it Part 1 and finish this with the most exciting part of 14 May - the celebration of AC Milan victory in Italian soccer.  We drank beer and watched the transformation of Duomo Square from 5pm onwards.  The crowd sang as no Aussie crowd could - tunes similar to Come Back to Sorrento  with an operatic flair.