Milan

 A number of students and teachers took an optional trip to Milan in northern Italy. It is a modern vibrant city that is a fashion centre for Italy and indeed the world.

After flying up from Pescara and then travelling in by bus from Bergamo, we settled in for the night. Early the next morning we were off for the day.

At the heart of the city adjacent to a high end shopping district is the Duomo and the Piazza del Duomo. It is a large gothic church that was begun in the 14^th C and completed some 500 years later.

While entrance to the Duomo is free, for a small fee one can climb up onto the roof for a spectacular view of Milan. There are almost 150 spires and so many statues and gargoyles, it is impossible to see let alone count them all. 

Even at night the Duomo is a central meeting and gathering place.

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuel II is glass covered open air shopping arcade which was designed and built in the 19^th C. Shaped as an Italian cross, there are dozens of unique shops, restaurants and cafes.

 The Piancoteca di Brera is a charming gallery of Renaissance and Baroque painting. At the time of our visit, there was a special exhibition of paintings amassed by two Russian collectors. Its entrance is fronted by a sculpture of Napoleon.

The Castello Sforzesco was built by Milan’s ruler, Francesco Sforzesco in the 15^th C. This Renaissance palace contains a series of courtyards and rooms now used for a museum.  

The Castello has spacious grounds as well.

While some students and teachers explored Milan on Sunday, some had the opportunity to visit Bergamo as well. By Sunday afternoon, everyone was ready to return to Lanciano having enjoyed the weekend together.