17 Interesting Facts About Milan

The ancient city of Milan is older than many other settlements on Earth. Its historical name, derived from Latin, means “located in the center of the plain.” The exact age of Milan is difficult to determine due to the passage of time, but it is at least 2,500 years old. Today, it is rightfully considered the capital of the global fashion industry, with countless shops lining its streets!

Facts About Milan:

1. The length of Milan’s metro lines has long surpassed 100 kilometers, and new stations and lines continue to be built.
2. Milan is home to one of the oldest and largest race tracks in the world, Monza, which can accommodate up to 135,000 spectators at once.
3. Every April, Milan hosts a marathon open to all, usually attracting around 10,000 participants each year.
4. The Ambrosian Library in Milan is one of the oldest in the world, having opened four centuries ago.
5. When the devastating plague swept through Europe in the 14th century, Milan was fortunate enough to avoid the outbreak.
6. All official Milanese taxis are white—a useful tip for tourists.
7. Coffee is very popular here, but Milanese people never drink it in a strong form.
8. Unlike residents of many other regions in sunny Italy, punctuality is highly valued in Milan.
9. The tradition of serving aperitifs—light snacks and drinks before the main meal—originated in Milan.
10. The first skyscraper in Italy was built in Milan, although the city still retains much of its historical appearance.
11. The Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in Milan is notable because Verdi, the great composer, did not study there. He attempted to enroll but was rejected as the examiners believed he had no talent. The conservatory was later renamed in his honor.
12. The Milan Cathedral took about 600 years to build, similar to the Cologne Cathedral in Germany.
13. The famous scientist, artist, and inventor Leonardo da Vinci lived in Milan for some time.
14. After the Roman Empire split into Western and Eastern halves, Milan became the capital of the Western Roman Empire.
15. Among all the cities in Italy, Milan, with a population of over 1.3 million people, is the second-largest. In comparison, it is slightly larger than Nizhny Novgorod but smaller than Yekaterinburg.
16. Due to its reputation as the world’s fashion capital, Milan attracts many affluent tourists, making it the most expensive city in Italy in terms of average prices.
17. Milan boasts the most extensive tram network in Europe.