Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery), Milan (must see)

Walk into the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and you’re not simply entering a mall - you’re stepping straight into Italy’s grand 19th-century statement piece. Five storeys high, wrapped in curved glass and iron, dressed up with patriotic mosaics and statues, it feels like a country saying, “We’re unified now - and we’re fabulous!”

Construction began in 1865 under architect Giuseppe Mengoni, the mastermind behind the grand plan connecting the Milan Cathedral to La Scala Opera House. The gallery was named after Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of a united Italy, and officially opened in 1867.

But perfection takes time. Work continued for another decade. Then came the twist: in December 1877, just one day before completion, Mengoni fell from the top of the triumphal arch and died. A truly dramatic ending for a dramatic project...

Architecturally, it’s bold. The layout forms a Latin cross: two grand glass-vaulted passages - one 196 meters long, the other just over 105 - intersect beneath a soaring dome nearly 47 meters high. Iron and glass do the heavy lifting, pioneering the idea of the enclosed shopping arcade. Some even say this iron confidence later inspired the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Now look down. The floor is a marble map of Italian pride, with mosaics representing major cities. And there it is - the famous bull. Tradition says that you should place your right heel on a certain anatomical detail, spin around, and make a wish. Centuries of enthusiastic spinning have worn an actual hole into the mosaic. A vivid example of Milanese optimism, carved in marble...

Indeed, visiting here feels like stepping into a perfectly preserved postcard of 19th-century Milan - light streaming through the dome, elegant shopfronts glowing, conversations echoing under glass. And yes, you can sit down at one of the cafés, order something indulgent, and watch the stylish parade drift by without emptying your wallet.

At the far end, opposite the statue of Leonardo da Vinci, you’ll even find a museum dedicated to the master himself.

For the best experience, come early in the morning or late at night, when the crowds thin out and the dome belongs almost entirely to you. And whatever you do - find the bull. Spin. Make the wish. Milan expects nothing less...