Milan’s Vertical Forest residential towers

The Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie

One of the world’s most famous paintings, Leonardo’s The Last Supper-this is the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci’s death.

Giovanni Donato is best known for his fresco depicting the Crucifixion (1495) opposite the Last Supper

Santa Maria delle Grazie - Cloister

Entering Sforza Castle

The 15th century castle fortification now houses several museums and art collections.

It was Fashion Week in Milan and private parties were being set up all over town including at the castle.

A musician entertained the crowd as they walked by.

Leaving the castle, we walked through the streets of Milan.

The Piccolo Theater, one of the more important stage theaters of Europe

Monument honoring the first king of a unified Italy

Milan’s Duomo, its cathedral

St. Bartholomew, Skinned, one of the twelve apostles who died a martyr by being skinned alive

On another day, we visited the Duomo’s roof

Great views from up here but you had to be careful and watch your step. On another day, we had lunch at the top of the building across the street.

The square and monument in front of the Duomo

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan’s glitziest place to shop. It opened in 1877.

Savini, our favorite spot for rum raisin ice cream—we visited a few times.

On our final day in Milan, we toured La Scala, one of the world’s great opera houses.

Our guide, at left, seemed like he was a Russian or Greek Orthodox priest but he is actually wearing the uniform of a La Scala usher.

Although we were there for a 4 PM tour, the stage crew was setting up for an evening performance; given the work they had to do, we were surprised they let us into some of the areas they did.

La Scala’s huge chandelier made in Bohemia.