Tour Milan with Fabio Tranchida, professional guide specialized in architecture and music. The tour What Milan is Made Of focuses on the materials, textures, and architecture of Milan. Guido Tour Sharing is a tour company that allows visitors to save money by sharing the tour fees. It’s an excellent way to learn about the cultural heritage of Italy with likeminded travelers. The more people in the group, the more you save.

I was invited to take part in the debut tour of What Milan is Made Of by Guido Tour Sharing. All opinions are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

The tour starts at Sforza Castle and works its way through the Sempione Park and to the Arch of Peace taking you through the rich history of the 14th-century Sforza Castle, to Napoléon Bonaparte’s urban plan of the early 1800’s to the Liberty style aquarium of the early 1900’s.

Hey Y’all

Today’s event was part of a Yallers Photo-Walk. Yallers is an association for the culturally inclined. They organize group excursions, city walks, and photo events. Giorgio, one of the tour participants and member of the Yallers Italia Association gave us some pointers on taking photos of architecture:

  • Take your time and be patient and you’ll get a good shot
  • Take photos of both verticle and horizontal views
  • Don’t be afraid to play with perspective

Photo Walk in Milan

Sforza Castle

The oldest part of the castle dates back to 1360 and some of the original brickwork can be seen beside the Filarete Tower which was rebuilt in 1905.

Serpent motif in Grafiti
Floral motif in Grafiti
Grafiti an ancinet decorative technique

Sforza Castle, Milan the fountain in Piazza Castello. The round, layered fountain is nicknamed “The Wedding Cake”. Urban legend says that when it was dismantled to build the metro, a corrupt politician “indefinitely borrowed” it for his private villa. They never recovered the original, this is a replica of the original prewar design.

That’s me! Sforza Castle, Milan courtyard and reflection pool. Thanks, Giorgio @italiansontravel for the photo!

The Milan Civic Aquarium

Built in 1906, the Milan Aquarium – originally named Stazione Hydrobiologico. Made of sculpted cement and exquisite mosaics by the historical Richard-Ginori ceramic manufacturer.

Milan aquarium was the third aquarium ever built in Europe. Designed by Sebastiano Locati.
Historically important and groundbreaking at the time.
A pristine example of Liberty architecture.

The Gianni Brera Civic Arena

The Gianni Brera Civic Arena and used for sporting events and concerts. It’s another example of neoclassical architecture in Milan, the arena was inaugurated in 1807 and has a capacity for 30,000 spectators. In order to save time and money, the derelict walls of the 15th century Castle of Trezzo d’Adda were salvaged to complete the arena. The ensemble is a mix of brick, Pietra di Ceppo (Ceppo di Grè) and Rose Granite found in the mountains of Lombardy.

The Gianni Brera Civic Arena, Milan. Detail of a mix of brick, Pietra di Ceppo (Ceppo di Grè) and Rose Granite found in the mountains of Lombardy.

Arch of Peace, Sempione Park

Standing tall in a circular plaza, the strong marble Arch of Peace reflects hues of grey, beige and pink. Originally made of wood, but deemed so beautiful, local authorities decided to have it built in the same prestigious Candoglia marble used for the Duomo cathedral.

It was fantastic spending the day with other cultural curious travelers and explorers. Visit the Yallers Website: Yallers Italia Association

For more information and upcoming events:

Guido Tour Sharing

ILoveGuido.it

See the calendar of upcoming tours:

Milan | Florence | Pavia | Paris

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