Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
A glass-domed shopping gallery opened in 1867, known as “the living room of Milan,” linking Piazza del Duomo with Piazza della Scala.
Designed by architect Giuseppe Mengoni and opened in 1867, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is named after the first king of unified Italy. It is one of the oldest shopping centres in the world. The gallery is cross-shaped, and where its two arcades meet, a glass and cast-iron dome 47 metres high rises overhead. The floor mosaics depict the coats of arms of four Italian cities. Legend says that standing on the bull on Turin's coat of arms and spinning three times on your heel brings good luck. The spot has been worn into hollows by visitors. Inside are the original Prada store (1913), Louis Vuitton, Gucci and other luxury brands, as well as the century-old Camparino café (birthplace of Campari), the Savini restaurant and the Marchesi 1824 pastry shop. The gallery is free to enter at any time. For a fee, you can climb the Highline Galleria walkway on the roof for views of the cathedral. The gallery is the must-pass route on foot from Piazza del Duomo to La Scala Opera House. For photos of the dome, come early in the morning when it's quiet. It looks even more splendid at night when the lights come on. Note that sitting down at the café costs far more than drinking at the bar.
Opening hours
Open to pass through all day; shops approx. 10:00–20:00
Nearby sights
- Milan Cathedral
- Museo del Novecento
- Teatro alla Scala
- Royal Palace of Milan
- Museo Poldi Pezzoli
- Santa Maria presso San Satiro
- Biblioteca e Pinacoteca Ambrosiana
- Pinacoteca di Brera