The Galleria of Victor Emmanuel II (Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II) is an eclectic, cross-shaped, glass-vaulted structure built in the second half of the XIX century. The Galleria unites Duomo Square and La Scala Theatre Square (Piazza della Scala).
It was built by the Italian architect Giuseppe Mengoni who died during the cupola’s inspection. On entering the Galleria, you can see a memorial inscription about this sad event. Mengoni’s gallery was the largest one at the time it was built and remains the main symbol of shopping life in Milan. In the centre of the Galleria is a large, octagonal mosaic, depicting Italian capitals (Roma, Florence and Turin) and Milan also. There is a tradition that it is lucky to place your right heel on the bull of Turin (on its genitals, in fact), then turn around three times!
During the bombardment of 1943, the Galleria was among the many buildings in the centre of Milan that suffered damage. After the war, it became an important place for meetings, discussions and demonstrations.
The real reason that brings thousands of people to visit this beautiful Galleria is its luxury boutiques, bookshops, cafés, bars, art gallery/shops, hotels, etc. Almost every Italian and world-famous luxury brands are represented in the Galleria: Dolce&Gabbana, Brioni, Prada, Roberto Cavalli, Versace, Valentino, Moschino, Ferragamo, Laura Biagiotti, Gianfranco Ferré and many others.
The shops situated in the Galleria must display their name in gold letters on a black background. Even McDonald’s had to follow this rule in order to obtain permission to operate in the centre of the Galleria, in Octogon Square.
It was built by the Italian architect Giuseppe Mengoni who died during the cupola’s inspection. On entering the Galleria, you can see a memorial inscription about this sad event. Mengoni’s gallery was the largest one at the time it was built and remains the main symbol of shopping life in Milan. In the centre of the Galleria is a large, octagonal mosaic, depicting Italian capitals (Roma, Florence and Turin) and Milan also. There is a tradition that it is lucky to place your right heel on the bull of Turin (on its genitals, in fact), then turn around three times!
During the bombardment of 1943, the Galleria was among the many buildings in the centre of Milan that suffered damage. After the war, it became an important place for meetings, discussions and demonstrations.
The real reason that brings thousands of people to visit this beautiful Galleria is its luxury boutiques, bookshops, cafés, bars, art gallery/shops, hotels, etc. Almost every Italian and world-famous luxury brands are represented in the Galleria: Dolce&Gabbana, Brioni, Prada, Roberto Cavalli, Versace, Valentino, Moschino, Ferragamo, Laura Biagiotti, Gianfranco Ferré and many others.
The shops situated in the Galleria must display their name in gold letters on a black background. Even McDonald’s had to follow this rule in order to obtain permission to operate in the centre of the Galleria, in Octogon Square.
