L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2015 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 17 Unexpected Milan: discovering the hidden secrets few seem to know E fficient, fast paced and cosmopolitan, Milan is often misunderstood and underrated by tourists, who usu- ally prefer to vis it Rome, Florence and Venice. The stun- ning D uomo w ith its unique shape and look, and the Navigli, the city's canals built by Leonardo da Vinci, seem to get all the attention, while many of the city hidden gems go unno- ticed, sometimes even by locals. There are, however, must see spots and must do experiences that would transform a vacation in Milano from so-so to stellar, from enjoying an apertivo just like locals do to discovering pieces of art that are unique and stunning. Real beauty is around each corner of the city - one just has to know where to look. Vigna di Leonardo, Corso Magenta 65. Right in front ot Santa Maria delle Grazie, where one can admire Leonardo''s Last S upper, a new mu s eum has opened its doors inside stunning Casa degli Atellani, the only building in the street that still retains its Renaissance looks. Be amazed by the Zodiac Hall, with the s tar s igns pain ted in the lunettes and surrounded by plan- ets, the Rose of winds and fig- ures representing the four sea- sons; continue through the Luini H all, w here portraits of the Sforza family are kept, and on to Leonardo's vineyard. Given to the artist in 1482 as a welcome pres ent w hen he moved to Milano to work for Ludovico S forza, D uke of M ilan, Leonardo's vineyard w as replanted in 2015 with the same grapes along the original planti- ng rows, and is now reborn, an oasis of green in the middle of the city. Chiesa di San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, Corso Magenta 15. From the outside this imposing church may look like a regular Renaissance reli- gious building, but once inside CHIARA ASSI visitors are in for a surprise that leave most speechless: the walls and ceilings are beautifully dec- orated with frescoes that have won the church the title of "the S is tin e chapel of M ilan". Because the church was once attached to a cloistered convent, the front of the church is sepa- rated from w here the back, where the nuns used to sit, by thick wooden wall: access the nun quarters by walking through the little door on the left of the altar and be prepared to be even more stunned, as the frescos in the large back room are even more impressive than the ones in the front. Ex A lb ergo D iu rn o Cobianchi, Piazza del Duomo 19/a. At the beginning of the 1900s, alberghi diurni –literally day hotels– were popular with travelers who needed a place to bathe and refresh themselves during long layovers: the one by Piazza del Duomo, built in the 1920s, is a beautiful example of liberty and art deco styles and, after being closed for decades, it has been refurbished and trans- formed in a urban lounge, a cos- mopolitan sitting room where people can learn more about the history of Milan, listen to music, participate to workshops and lectures, use the free restrooms and wi-fi network and charge their phones and cameras before diving back into street to explore the city. Triennale di Milano, Viale Alemagna 6. Crazy about mod- ern des ign? D on't mis s the Triennale Museum, entirely ded- icated to all things design-relat- ed, from futuristic kitchens to typewriters, from cutting edge lamps to unique pieces of furni- ture. Milano is the Italian capital of design and fashion and at the Triennale you will definitely feel it: open every day until 11 pm, its modern and hip vibe draws a young crowd of artists and art enthusiasts, as does the Terrazza Triennal, a restaurant and café with unparalleled views of Parco Sempione and the skyline. Mercato Metrop olitan o, Porta Genova. Born as a tempo- rary "Outside Expo" project, the Mercato Metropolitano has had so much success since opening it is now transitioning into becom- ing a permanent attraction. Located in Porta Genova, close to the popular Navigli area, the Mercato has been created like a real farmers market in an area of about 160,000 s quare feet. Visitors can browse and buy products from hundreds of pro- ducers, tons of street food and regional specialties, but can also enjoy a side dish of culture at the amphitheater, where semi- nars and symposiums about food take place daily. This is a place where young and old alike meet and greet, try new foods and have drinks in an atmosphere that can only be described as relaxed and dow n to earth. Prices, too, are very reasonable, making it perfect for those trav- eling on a budget. Mercato Metropolitano. The Urban Farmers' Market of Milan, on the Naviglio Grande The Albergo Diurno in Piazza Duomo, built in the 1920s, is a beautiful example of liberty and art deco styles Frescoes from the "Sistine Chapel of Milan"

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