We have been hoping for the skies to snow and it finally did today. Albeit in the least romantic of places: at a toilet stop en route to Milan. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the magical moment of watching the torrent of snowflakes cascade before us.

 

 

Our first destination in Italy was the 15^th century castle Castello Sforzesco, once the residence for the Duke of Milan and now home to several museums.

 

We took a tour of the fort bordered by copper-red curtain walls punctuated with strategic square openings which could be used for scaffolding to make repairs on the roof and walls. The top of the walls are lined with merlons for archers to shoot their crossbows and arches that conceal openings used for pouring boiling oil on intruding forces.

 

 

Plastered around the castle is the symbol of the Visconti family (14th century rulers of Milan) which depicts a serpent swallowing a child. This symbol is also found in the Alfa Romeo logo, a tribute to Alfa's hometown Milan and the great Milanese 'Visconti' family.

 

 

Standing in the vast courtyard bleached by snow, we took photos of the perimeter walls as well as the statue of St. John of Nepomuk erected near the entrance.

 

 

Our next stop was the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the oldest shopping malls in the world connecting the famous landmarks: La Scala Opera House and the Duomo.

 

We started from La Scala at Da Vinci Square where the statues of Leonardo Da Vinci and his four students are erected.

 

 

Walking through the galleria, we were enchanted by the elegance of the interior extravagantly adorned with sculptures, carvings, and mosaics.

 

 

The centre of the galleria is capped with a spectacular glass dome from which a red cross, a representation of Milan, was hanging. Statues of Italian artists and scientists line the arcade below the roof of the arcade.

 

 

Beneath the dome, a crowd gathered around a mosaic of a bull depicted in the Turin Coat of Arms. Tradition has it that good luck will befall a person who turns three times on his right heel placed on the bull's genitals. This practice has led to a deep cavity formed at that spot.

 

 

Exiting the galleria, we reached the Duomo di Milano, the cathedral with its unmistakable gothic spikes and white marble façade.

 

 

Construction of the cathedral took 6 centuries and passed through the hands of different architects. The renewal in architectural directions resulted in a mash-up of styles which has drawn mixed appraisals.

 

 

The interior of the cathedral has a dim and solemn atmosphere complete with characteristic features like soaring columns, marble tiles mosaic and stained glass windows.

 

Entry to the cathedral is free but getting on the roof costs €6-8. The panoramic views of Piazza Del Duomo Square and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II plus Milan skyline more than justify the fee. Sadly, we were not aware of gaining entry to the roof and missed this experience.

 

The temperatures dipped following sunset so we sought refuge in the cathedral until our gathering time to go back to the hotel NH Milanofiori. One of the rare hotels with a gym, we squeezed in a workout after checking in.