Grattacielo Pirelli (Pirelli Skyscraper), Milan

Grattacielo Pirelli (Pirelli Skyscraper), Milan

The Pirelli Skyscraper, also known as the Pirelli Tower, is a landmark skyscraper symbolizing Milan's modern architecture. Completed in 1958, it was once the tallest building in Italy and one of the tallest in Europe. Designed by the architect Gio Ponti in collaboration with Pier Luigi Nervi, the tower stands at a height of 127 meters (417 feet) with 32 floors, and weighs about 70,000 tons.

The building's most notable feature is its slender, cylindrical shape, which was achieved by using a steel frame and reinforced concrete. The façade is covered in white marble and glass, with horizontal bands of aluminum panels giving it a distinct and futuristic look. New York City's Pan Am Building and Birmingham's Alpha Tower both took inspiration from its design.

The tower was originally built to serve as the headquarters of the Pirelli tire company, which still occupies a significant portion of the building. It also houses a number of other businesses, as well as a museum dedicated to the history of the Pirelli company and the skyscraper itself.

Visitors can take an elevator to the 26th floor, where a panoramic observation deck provides breathtaking views of the city. The deck also features an outdoor terrace and a small café. The building's ground floor and lobby are open to the public and feature a display of Pirelli's tire products and other memorabilia.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Milan. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Grattacielo Pirelli (Pirelli Skyscraper) on Map

Sight Name: Grattacielo Pirelli (Pirelli Skyscraper)
Sight Location: Milan, Italy (See walking tours in Milan)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Milan, Italy

Create Your Own Walk in Milan

Create Your Own Walk in Milan

Creating your own self-guided walk in Milan is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Churches Walking Tour

Historical Churches Walking Tour

Milan may well be a world fashion capital and one of the financial capitals of Europe, but religion, and particularly churches, are an inseparable part of the Milanese life. Indeed, steeped in history, this city has garnered over the centuries a wealth of iconic places of worship.

Among these, the Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano) stands as a symbol of grandeur and faith. This magnificent...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Milan Introduction Walking Tour

Milan Introduction Walking Tour

Recognized as one of the world's four fashion capitals, Milan is also a global hub of design and a key tourist destination. The etymology of the name Milan remains uncertain. One theory holds that the Latin name Mediolanum comes from the Latin words medio (in the middle) and planus (plain).

In 286 the Roman Emperor Diocletian moved the capital of the Western Roman Empire from Rome to...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Historic Center Walking Tour

Historic Center Walking Tour

Contained within the area once delimited by the medieval walls, the Centro Storico (historic center) of Milan encompasses the city's perhaps most famous landmarks and tourist attractions. Compact in size, the area is easily distinguishable on the map much as walkable. Here you can find almost everything Milan is famous for, in a close proximity to each other.

The best place to start is...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Best Shopping Streets and Malls

Best Shopping Streets and Malls

One of the world's four fashion capitals and, as of lately, that of industrial design as well, Milan is renowned internationally as a top shopping destination, where fashion is the second religion. In a city as rich as this one, dedicated to art and pleasure, there's no shortage of options for those accustomed to upscale shopping and favoring bargains.

Amid the plethora of places to...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Leonardo da Vinci's Masterpieces

Leonardo da Vinci's Masterpieces

Leonardo da Vinci, one of the greatest Renaissance artists and polymaths in history, left an indelible mark on Milan through several of his masterpieces created in this city over the nearly 20 years that he spent here.

One of the notable places where you can explore the maestro's work is the Ambrosian Library (Biblioteca Ambrosiana), which houses a vast collection of his drawings and...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles

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