Arts and Architecture- Milan

Leaving the scenic beauty of Lake Como behind was difficult, particularly since I squandered a day there by missing the overnight train. I arrived in Milan, only about
an hour to the south, and, after storing my luggage in the train station deposit office, I held on for dear life as a cab swerved through the crazy traffic to the main square and the Duomo (cathedral) with
nonstop commentary from the young driver in broken English.

When I arrived there was a huge metal stage being set up to the right
of the Duomo itself; stage lighting looming over it and stage hands swarming below.  Apparently it was Milan Fashion Week!  Great, swirling flocks of pigeons ruled the center of the square chased by giggling tourists.

The Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele are the two main
attractions in Milan.  The long entrance line moved pretty fast and soon
I was standing in the cool, dimness of a vast cathedral whose roof disappeared into the ether.  A towering altarpiece marks the center and is topped by one of the tallest domes in Europe.
It is supposed to contain one of the nails from the original cross, marked by a red light.

The aisles are lined with large, hanging canvas art pieces of various scenes from the life of St. Charles Borromeo.
There is also a grotesque statue of St. Bartholomew by a student of Da Vinci's. The saint was skinned upon execution and in the statue wears his skin like a robe.....ewwww!!!!

After the Duomo I bought some delicious strawberry gelato and sat on the broad marble steps enjoying it.  I wandered through the huge shopping galleria Vittorio Emanuele were they were also setting up fashion week stages.  I felt a little underdressed in my jeans and t-shirt.


Returning to the magestic train station I recovered my bags (for 4 euro fee!) and headed out to Rome...