Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II Reviews (Milan, Italy)

Welcome to Milan's Parlour

Warsaw, Poland

June 19, 2013

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Best of IgoUgo When we had finished viewing Milan’s masterpiece, the Duomo we weren’t sure what to do next. In the Piazza del Duomo there are so many attractions and all worth looking at but the enormous stone archway which leads into the Galleria Vittorio ...Read more When we had finished viewing Milan’s masterpiece, the Duomo we weren’t sure what to do next. In the Piazza del Duomo there are so many attractions and all worth looking at but the enormous stone archway which leads into the Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II shopping gallery drew me in. I knew I wouldn’t be able to afford to buy anything from any of the shops but this didn’t matter, I wanted to see for myself just how the shop fronts are decorated.

The locals have another name for the covered shopping gallery, il salotto di Milano and it is still as popular with the Milanese as it was on the first day it opened in the middle of the 19th century. The Duomo and San Siro will always be the most vivid memories of Milan for me but the gallery comes third. I loved the soaring glass dome and the mosaic floor. Under the central dome there is a mosaic bull and it is customary for visitors to spin on the sensitive parts of the bull. You only spin once, you will see where the well-worn spot is, and then you make a wish and hope your fortunes come true.

The rays of light shining through the dome on to the floor are amazing and I like the way the gallery is long and slender, you are able to look straight through from beginning to end and see other buildings on the other side of the gallery. The design of the floor is very stylish with lots of coloured mosaics, dominant colours being red, blue and yellow ochre. The most important thing to remember is to look up at the stonework, paintings and carvings of the shops and cafes in Milan’s parlour. There are some beautiful carved cornices and paintings decorating the tops of the shops.

Everyone wants to have their photograph taken outside Prada, including my husband. I had to giggle as he is really not a man who would buy anything from a Prada shop, being a jeans and T shirt man only. Each shop is immaculately turned out and I can’t think of a better place to browse for jewellery, perfumes, silk ties, furs and books of art, if that’s what you want to spend your money on. I am not a great shopper but I did like the way the shop windows were beautifully dressed and how the small covered galleries branched off to each side of the main thoroughfare. It was great to walk through the gallery without worrying about traffic as it is a traffic-free shopping zone.

Cafes and restaurants are elegantly presented too with white linen canopies falling gently over tables and chairs and globular Art Nouveau lamps placed at the side to generate light in the evening so you can see what you are drinking and eating. I did look at some of the menus outside certain establishments and I didn’t think they were vastly overpriced for pasta dishes and pizza. For anything more exotic, then that’s another story and price. Waiters/waitresses are smartly dressed and stand outside each café and restaurant trying to tempt you in. I wouldn’t say they were too pushy, I found their manner to be friendly and pleasant.

Of course, the showpiece and famous landmark has to be the Zucca Café and Restaurant, an outstanding Art Nouvea building. It is the place to watch and to be seen. You can eat upstairs in the Liberty dining areas but the price for a risotto is way above my means. Did you know that in the late 19th century Gasper Campari introduced his aperitivo, in this building? It isn’t a drink I like as it tastes of cough medicine but some people like its aroma and rhubarb based mixture. Still, the bottle is very elegant.

If you don’t have the cash to splash out on an expensive meal, I suggest you do what we did, pay 5 Euros, partake in an espresso and sit outside on the terrace. You order and pay at the large wooden counter that has a fascinating array of mosaic tiles on the wall behind. You can sit inside but I think it is much better to be in the fresh air under the canopy, people watching.

Well, that about covers our walk through the Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. I didn’t purchase anything except a small cup of coffee but I was happy with the experience I had in Europe’s original shopping centre. My favourite feature was definitely the 48 metre glass dome.

I really do recommend a visit to the shopping gallery, a great place to visit when it rains! There are a few hawkers in the complex selling scarves and cheap children’s toys. They are harmless. My advice is to give them a firm negative, say NO. They will go away and leave you alone.

Address: Piazza del Duomo
Opening times: Shops - 10.00 – 19.30, Monday to Saturday. Closed on Sunday.
Metro 1, 3 to Duomo
Tram: 1, 2, 3, 12, 24

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From journal Meraviglioso Milano

Complete Surprise

by TianjinPaul

Rotherham, United Kingdom

April 7, 2013

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Best of IgoUgo My girlfriend and I visited Milan in order for her to go for an interview with a fashion company located in Milan's world-renowned fashion district. After that we planned to visit the Duomo cathedral in the centre of the city. We had seen ...Read more My girlfriend and I visited Milan in order for her to go for an interview with a fashion company located in Milan's world-renowned fashion district. After that we planned to visit the Duomo cathedral in the centre of the city. We had seen photographs posted on facebook my girlfriend's cousin of the cathedral and it looked amazing. In truth, that was the height of our ambition. I pondered possibly taking a peak at La Scala, but that was no biggie either way. We knew nothing of Galleria Viotoria Emmanuele; it was not even on our radar. However, it proved to be one of the highlights of our trip.
The Galleria is just a fantastic place. It is, apparently, Italy's oldest shopping mall. It was built in the 1860's. If we are being honest, however, 'Shopping Mall' is probably not the best label to apply to it. Such a moniker gives off suggestions of parking lots, discount brands and food courts. The Galleria is something completely different to that. It is beautifully designed and full of some of the most expensive boutiques in the world.
The style of the Galleria is fantastic. To a degree, I suppose this is to be expected as it sits at side of Piazza del Duomo and close to the Duomo cathedral. Any building in this area needs to be spectacular in itself just to compete with its surroundings. However, it would be fit to stand alone and dazzle. The first thing that grabs the visitor is the scale, which is best seen from the outside as it stands triumphantly to the side of the piazza. However, just like the piazza and the cathedral, it offers more than pure size. There is also wonderful architecture.
Personally, I found the roof to be the highlight of our visit. This is made from glass and a fantastically ornate iron skeleton. The galleria is in the shape of a cross. For the majority of the building, on each of the arms. The roof is crescent shaped. However, at the junction of these arms it forms a fantastic dome, which fills the area with light. The dome is actually two domes in one. There is a large dome topped by a smaller dome that creates an almost nipple-like effect. The roof was truly amazing, but it was also followed quite closely by the floor, which also boasted similarly delicate style. It was done in a mosaic effect with ornate patterns running along the four arms of the galleria and with a giant crest at the centre. I must admit that my eyes were feeling a little funny from staring at the wonderful patterns along the way.
The Galleria itself is also worth a visit for the shopping opportunities it provides. It plays host to several famous boutiques including Gucci and Prada as well as several smaller boutiques selling all manner of haute-couture. Even though it was not on our original itinerary it was a fantastic surprise that we really enjoyed. Close

From journal Miiiiiiilannnnooooooo

Street Under the Glass

by Zhebiton

Moscow, Moskva, Russia

July 15, 2010

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Another landmark is the gallery Vittorio Emanuele II. It is often called "the living room of Milan" or "street under the glass. The creation of architect Mengoni, created in the period 1865-1877 he has the shape of a rectangular cross. This ...Read more

From journal Best place for shopping

World's First Indoor Shopping Mall

by airynfaerie

St. Augustine, Florida

October 28, 2009

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Best of IgoUgo One of Milan's most famous buildings is that of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Hailed as one of the world's first shopping malls, this structure is a must-see for shopper, architects, and history buffs alike. Noted by it's glass ceiling and ...Read more

From journals A Day in Milan, One Day in Milan

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele

by Dutchnatasja

Great Falls, Virginia

February 24, 2006

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The Galleria is one of the first buildings in Europe built in glass and iron. It is called, il salotto di Milano because it is the traditional meeting place of the Milanese. It offers a wide range of cafes and restaurants, such as the historical ...Read more

From journal Milan

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

by ManFriday

Copenhagen, Denmark

November 20, 2002

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Best of IgoUgo Packed with elegant, expensive cafées, fashion stores, gaping tourists and milanese suits, the Galleria is one of Milano's central points. Dating back to 19th century, the magnificent building was designed by Giuseppe Mengoni (who, due to his ...Read more

From journal Milano by Rain

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

by KJP

Dallas, Texas

November 9, 2001

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Best of IgoUgo The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is an elegant shopping mall lined with many cafes and high end shops. Savini, one of Milan's most famous restaurants, is also located here. The most distinctive feature of the galleria, which was constructed from ...Read more

From journal Milan in October

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele

by travel2000

New York, New York

November 2, 2000

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Best of IgoUgo After you come down from the roof of the Duomo, stroll over to the Galleria. I love this space, take a good look at the mosaics of gold at each corner under the roof. This is the glass-topped tunnel-a shopping mall! Even on a grey day, the light is ...Read more

From journal Two Days in Milan

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