DK Travel : Milan and the Lakes : Places of interest

Page
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Como

Italy’s silk capital was founded by the Romans and has a spectacular cathedral (see Duomo, Como), a handful of modest museums, lots of boutiques and two ancient churches.
Como’s Duomo, Lake Como

The exterior of Como’s cathedral, begun in the late 14th century, is a festival of statues and basreliefs. Inside are Renaissance altar-pieces and tapestries (see Duomo, Como).
Crema

Though originally a fiercely loyal satellite of Milan, Crema’s formative period was under the Venetians (1454–1797). It’s a tidy town of white and pink marble façades, a delightful Duomo and a civic museum that includes scores by composer Francesco Cavalli.
Cremona

This town has been home to some of the world’s finest ever makers of stringed instruments, a craft that reached its pinnacle in the 17th century at the workshop of Antonio Stradivari. It is hardly surprising, then, that Cremona’s top sights are fiddle-oriented: the Raccolta dei Violini is a roomful of exquisite 17th- and 18th-century instruments; while Museo Stradivariano pulls out all the big names in violin-making (Amati, Stradivarius, Guaneri).

Piazza del Comune, Cremona
Cycling in Mantova

The city of Mantova is flat, virtually surrounded by lakes and plains that stretch up and down the Mincio River, all of it begging to be explored on two wheels. It’s a welcome break from all the churches and museums that can numb even an avid art fan, and a chance to delve into the more physical side of Italian culture.
Desenzano

A large and delightful town, settled in the Bronze Age and a retreat since the Roman era. Its top attraction is the Villa Romana (see Villa Romana, Desenzano).
Duomo, Como

Como’s statue-clad cathedral was begun in 1396, but not capped with its Juvara-designed dome until 1740. On the façade, the pilasters are lined with saints and the main door is flanked by the seated figures of two local ancient scholars, Pliny the Elder and his nephew Pliny the Younger. The interior preserves an intricately carved and painted wooden altarpiece of 1492 and nine fabulous 16th-century tapestries, produced in Flemish, Florentine and Ferrarese workshops.

Duomo, Como
Exploring Milan’s Duomo

Milan’s cathedral is a Gothic wonderland of flying buttresses, soaring pinnacles, saintly statues, spiral staircases and hideous gargoyles – fun to explore for kids aged 5 to 95 (see Milan’s Duomo).
Football for Young Fans

An emotion-packed calcio (football) match at Milan’s striking San Siro stadium (see San Siro (Stadio Meazza)) is fun for sports fans of all ages. And with two Serie A teams calling Milan home – Inter and AC Milan – the chances of catching a top-flight match during the season are excellent. Check out their websites for game schedules, or the LegaCalcio website for information on Lombardy’s other two Serie A squads, Como and Brescia. Alternatively, the Inter-Milan Museum (Gate 4, San Siro) comprises a visit to the stadium and the changing rooms.
Gardaland

Under the icon of a goofy green dragon named Prezzemolo (“Parsley”), the park boasts roller coasters and carnival rides, a water park, jungle safari, ice shows, dolphin tricks and medieval spectacles. Italy’s greatest theme park isn’t quite Disneyland, but it’s a hoot for the kids.