Galleria Vittorio Emanuele

• by Ray Rapalo • Published: March 16, 2007

Alongside the Piazza Duomo is the grand structure known as the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The gallery is basically a covered street connecting Piazza Duomo and Piazza della Scala. Designed in 1859 and built between 1865 and 1877, the gallery was the first of its kind to incorporate the elements of iron and glass which form its vaulted ceilings and central dome. The interior decoration includes marble and mosaic floors and, upward, stained glass domes.

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II has always been known as ‘Milan’s parlour’, because it has been the largest and most popular rendezvous for over a century. At the heart of the parlour is the central octagon, which sports a mosaic on its floor representing the coat of arms of the Savoia family, the Royal family of Italy. On the sides you can see the coat of arms of four cities: Turin, Rome, Florence and Milan itself. The vault overlooking the octagon depicts the continents of Africa, Asia, Europe and America. The coat of arms of Turin represents a bull. According to a tradition that is as peculiar as it is popular, you’re advised to step on the animal’s privates with your right heel and spin three times. Why? Well it will bring you good luck, of course!

The atmosphere of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele consists of a striking blend of some of the best shopping Milan has to offer and the 19th century trappings underlying it. You’ll pass world renowned shops such as Prada, Louis Vuitton, Borsalino and the merchandising Mercedes Benz store. Historical bookstores, such as Rizzoli, Garzanti and Bocca are located here as well alongside some of the city’s oldest and most famous cafés and restaurants. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele is in fact considered, together with via Montenapoleone and via della Spiga, part of Milan’s elegant shopping district.

After you’re finished shopping, you can stop for an inimitable Italian espresso or aperitivo in Caffé Miani, come to be known over the years also as Caffé Zucca. This was the first café in Milan to become part of the Historical Cafés Association of Italy. Giuseppe Verdi and Arturo Toscanini both used to stop here on their way back from the La Scala theatre. King Umberto I was also regular as he considered the Maini’s coffee to be the best in town. The house specialty apertivo, shaken Amaro Zucca with a tip of vanilla, is a wonderful prelude to dinner. Speaking of which, we urge you to visit Savini, Milan’s most famous restaurant. The food is refined, but maintains the traditional characteristics Milan cuisine. Savini is a great place to mingle with the Milanesi and get a sense of their everyday life, before heading off to another must-see landmark: La Scala.