Day 2. Milan: the Duomo, Galleria Emanuele II, Castello Sforzesco and the Parco Sempione.

12 hours sleep got rid of the jet lag, and we were ready to explore Milan.  We hopped on the tram to the Duomo, only to realise that we should have bought tickets before we got on.  Rather than be moral, we decided to try paying the inspector if he /she boarded, pleading tourist stupidity.  Luckily, we didn't get to test the magnanimity of the tram guards, and we vowed to buy tickets for the trip back.

Milan's Gothic cathedral, the Duomo, is rather stunning and beautiful from the outside, even though a lot of scaffolding was being erected in the square in front of it for a concert.  The many spires, reaching up to the heavens, the gargoyles, the statues

and the glow of the stones really make it one of the loveliest cathedrals that I have seen.  The huge, very plain square in front, with its flocks of pigeons and tourists, and the very solid buildings lining the square serve to emphasize its lightness and ornateness. 

We decided not to stand for hours in the queue to get in and vowed to check the inside another time.  Instead, we joined the hundreds of other tourists gawking at the very beautiful interior of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and its expensive designer shops.

 

The most incongruous sight though was a photo shoot for a bridal couple.  I wasn’t the only one a bit bemused by choice of location.

 

Next, we wondered out, past a statue of Leonardo Da Vinci

 

 through back streets, avoiding dog droppings.  I decided to start a collection of water spout heads

and door knockers

And, I found a Renault Twizzi, which I think I really really need.

We also admired the very stylish business men in their elegant suits , and the little glimpses into the private courtyards hidden by huge doors and gates.

We finally arrived at the rather stolid Castello Sforzesco which, although theoretically a palace, never lets the viewer forget its function as a fortress designed to withstand attack.  It does have elements of great beauty, but the practicality of its design, to my mind, overwhelms its aesthetic qualities. 

Unfortunately, it was closed so, again, we need to go back.

I was attracted to the Parco Sempione beyond, with its shady established trees, its pond complete with ducks, carp  and terrapins, its statues

and its flowering dogwoods.  What a lovely oasis in the city it is.

After a rather nice lunch - pasta and pizza of course, we wandered back along Via Dante for a bit of shopping which was more within my price range than the designer brands, stooping occasionally for coffee or gelato, which I am getting rather addicted to.  I think I rather like Italy!