
Piazza della Scala (Scala Square), Milan
Located in the heart of the city, Piazza della Scala is one of Milan's most iconic and historic squares, dominated by the grand neoclassical facade of the Teatro alla Scala, one of the world's most famous opera houses. The square is also home to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a stunning 19th-century shopping arcade that houses luxury boutiques and restaurants.
The piazza is named after the Teatro alla Scala, which was inaugurated in 1778 and has since become synonymous with the city's cultural life. Many famous operas and ballets have premiered here, and the theatre continues to attract some of the world's top performers.
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, which was built in the late 1800s, is one of Milan's most beautiful buildings, characterized by a stunning glass and iron roof, which spans the arcade's central space. The arcade is lined with luxury boutiques, cafes, and restaurants, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
Other notable buildings on Piazza della Scala include the Palazzo della Banca Commerciale Italiana, a grand 19th-century bank building, and the splendid Palazzo Marino, located in front of Teatro alla Scala. The latter was constructed in 1558 for Tommaso Marino, a wealthy Genoese financier and presently serves as the Town Hall, with its facade having been renovated in the late 19th century.
In the centre of the square, the bearded figure on the pedestal is Leonardo da Vinci, surrounded by four of his pupils.
Why You Should Visit:
With its stunning architecture, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant atmosphere, Piazza della Scala is a true symbol of the city's enduring allure.
The piazza is named after the Teatro alla Scala, which was inaugurated in 1778 and has since become synonymous with the city's cultural life. Many famous operas and ballets have premiered here, and the theatre continues to attract some of the world's top performers.
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, which was built in the late 1800s, is one of Milan's most beautiful buildings, characterized by a stunning glass and iron roof, which spans the arcade's central space. The arcade is lined with luxury boutiques, cafes, and restaurants, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
Other notable buildings on Piazza della Scala include the Palazzo della Banca Commerciale Italiana, a grand 19th-century bank building, and the splendid Palazzo Marino, located in front of Teatro alla Scala. The latter was constructed in 1558 for Tommaso Marino, a wealthy Genoese financier and presently serves as the Town Hall, with its facade having been renovated in the late 19th century.
In the centre of the square, the bearded figure on the pedestal is Leonardo da Vinci, surrounded by four of his pupils.
Why You Should Visit:
With its stunning architecture, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant atmosphere, Piazza della Scala is a true symbol of the city's enduring allure.
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 iTunes 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.
Piazza della Scala (Scala Square) on Map
Sight Name: Piazza della Scala (Scala Square)
Sight Location: Milan, Italy (See walking tours in Milan)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Milan, Italy (See walking tours in Milan)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Milan, Italy
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
Milan may be a world fashion capital and a European financial capital, but religion, and "the church" in particular, remain a major part of Milanese life. The city boasts a number of world-class religious buildings that include Milan Cathedral, which is the third largest religious structure in Europe, San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore, also known as "Sistine Chapel of Milan"... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
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
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
One of the world's four fashion capitals and, as of lately, that of design as well, Milan is renowned internationally as a top shopping destination, where fashion is the second religion. In a rich city such as this, dedicated to art and pleasure, there's no shortage of options for those accustomed to upscale shopping and those in favor of bargains. If you're a fashionista and/or... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Leonardo da Vinci's Masterpieces
Over the nearly 20 years that Leonardo da Vinci spent in Milan, the maestro created a number of masterpieces of art, of which the incomparable Last Supper mural in the convent of Santa Maria della Grazie and the innovative ceiling fresco of the Sala delle Asse at the Castello Sforzesco are just a few. If you wish to explore these and other spectacular pieces of art, architecture and technology... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
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
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
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Milan's Fashion Restaurants & Bars
Milan is a city well known for luxurious fashion and shopping. With this guide your designer experience doesn't have to end at the stores and boutiques. Almost every major Italian fashion house (as well as a few foreign ones) has entered the food, beverage, or hospitality businesses in Milan,...
Sweet Shops of Milan
This guide will undoubtably make your trip to Milan a sweet one. Most locations are in the city centre, whilst others are set in older headquarters, that boast incredible landmarks and hidden beauties. Milan is habitually associated to fashion and business but has some exquisite examples of art...
Milan's Best Aperitivo Venues
Apéritifs usually are alcoholic drinks that are normally served before a meal. But in Milan the Aperitivo can actually become a fun, cheap (but not unchic) dinner with friends or (in a romantic venue) with a date. The all-you-can-eat formula allows you to buy just one drink and serve yourself with...
Souvenir Shopping Guide: 16 Italian Goods Worth Buying in Milan
Needless to say much about Milan and the things the city is famous for. From fashion and luxury to football and Berlusconi, the list is long. Still, some of the distinctively Milanese items may pass unnoticed to the eye of a stranger, if not caringly pointed in the right direction by a knowledgeable...
16 Best Pastry Shops in Milan Italy
Are you looking to satisfy your sweet tooth with genuine, locally-made Italian pastries and drink real “espresso”? This guide covers the best pastry shops/cafes in Milan, the capital of fashion and excellent northern Italian food. Places where one can drink coffee or tea and eat some of the...
12 Cafes To Visit in Milan
The industrial capital of Italy and one of the world's fashion and business centers, today's Milan is teeming with chaotic urban rush on a daily basis. Although it can't compete with Rome in terms of history, art and architecture, there are hidden gems in Milan well worth searching...