Architecture: Churches and More

Cimitero Monumentale di Milano
One of the two largest cemeteries in Milan, this cemetery is noted for its abundance of artistic and decorative tombs and mausoleums. The cemetery houses the final resting places of illustrious people. Some of these include: Alessandro Manzoni (famous Italian poet known for “The Betrothed” or “I Promessi Sposi” in Italian), Ferdinando Bocconi (Founder of Bocconi University), Bruno Munari (Italian artist and designer), and architect Mario Palanti . The cemetery is 250,000 meters square wide. 

First established in 1866, it highlights many tombs with various styles ranging from the classical to the contemporary. Entry to the cemetery is free for everyone and it is open every day except Mondays from 8am until 6pm.
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In my personal opinion, the best possible time to go is during winter where the snowfall is quite heavy, however, nowadays it is quite rare to experience heavy snowfall in Milan. You are very lucky if you can experience visiting the cemetery when it is full of snow as the cemetery feels more solemn. Fall is also a good time to visit as Milan can be quite hot in the heat of the Summer.

San Bernardino Alle Ossa
​This church is probably not so famous, but if it is famous for one thing it is because the church has a section entirely decorated with human bones which is called the ossuary. You read that right folks. What used to be people are used for decorating a section of the church.

The church’s origins date back to the Late Middle Ages in 1269, but it wasn’t until only 1679 that they began moving the bones and skeletons to decorate the ossuary from a chamber where it used to house all the skeletons. It had been located near a medieval hospital back in the day. That’s where they got their supply of bones.

It is open from Monday to Friday from 8am-6pm, Saturdays from 9.30am-6pm, and Sundays from 9.30am-12am. The ossuary is closed on Sundays. ​

Santa Maria Delle Grazie Church

Officially classified as a basilica, the church from the renaissance era is completed in 1497: it is most famous for being the church next to the convent that houses “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci. It is said that Leonardo da Vinci felt grateful during his visit to the convent and especially appreciated the atmosphere during dinner. This became the inspiration for the painting which he made as a form of appreciation towards the friars. While most tourists go to the church to see the famous mural painting, the church itself has some interesting architectural features.
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The building of the church was instructed by the Duke of Milan Francesco I Sforza of the House of Sforza, which the Castello Sforzesco is named after. He originally wanted the church to become the Sforza family burial site. Before being moved to the Certosa di Pavia, it is said that Beatrice d’Este was buried here (first wife of Ludovico “Il Moro” Sforza who died of childbirth at age 21). It is designated as an UNESCO world heritage site in 1980.

Entrance into the church is free. To see “the Last Supper”, one must normally book 2 months in advance and tickets may cost up to 60€/person. The church is open 7.00-12.00am and 3.30-7.30pm (weekdays in Winter) or 4.00-7.30pm (weekdays in Summer). On holidays, the church is open from 7.30am-12.30pm and 4.00-9.00pm.

Piazza Gae Aulenti and the Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest)
These are 2 sites of interests located next to each other. The Piazza Gae Aulenti is the square where the tallest skyscraper (231 meter) in Milan is located – The Unicredit tower. The piazza is named after the architect Gae Aulenti even though it is wholly designed by an Argentinian architect, Cesar Pelli. Besides the Unicredit tower, there is an assortment of other other tall buildings in the vicinity as it is in the heart of the business district of Milan. The square is relatively new being inaugurated only in December 2012.

The “bosco verticale” or “vertical forest” in English are 2 apartment buildings designed to incorporate living plants into the structure. This gives off a more “green living” feel towards the residents. It is designed by the architecture group Boeri Studio and had received input from botanists and horticulturists. The buildings are also relatively new being inaugurated only in October 2014.

Palazzo Mezzanotte
Il Palazzo Mezzanotte or “The Midnight Palace” in English also known as “The Stock Exchange Palace” (“Palazzo delle Borse”) is the current seat of the Italian stock exchange. The name Mezzanotte is a reference to the architect who designed the building, Paolo Mezzanotte. The building is designed in the late 1920s and finally completed in 1932. Nowadays, the palazzo also offers room open for hosting events. When it was completed, it is said that it is the most technologically advanced building in Italy in that time with air conditioned rooms, single call button for all elevators, and the largest electrical display that updates all the quotations in real time.

The building is is located on the Piazza degli Affari (meaning “Business Square”). On this location, another interesting landmark is situated. A sculpture titled “L.O.V.E.” by Maurizio Cattelan is just in front of the palace. L.O.V.E. stands for libertà, odio, vendetta, and eternità which are Italian for liberty, hate, vengeance, and eternity. The statue has many allusions to spirit-of-the-time in Italy and also Italy’s past. An interpretation of the sculpture is that, with all the fingers complete, the hand would symbolise a fascist salute. This is a reference to Italy’s past. Through time, all the fingers except for the middle one were eroded, leaving the hand to symbolise the provocative gesture. The direction of the finger as if it were given from the direction of the stock exchange building makes a critical reference to the high finance world which seemingly doesn’t care about the people’s lives. This is a reference to the financial crisis starting in 2008 and hitting Italy hard in 2012.

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