Milan Gay Guide / LGBT Guide
With a population of approximately 1.35 million people, Milan is the second-largest city in Italy. It was founded by the Insubres circa 400 BC and would later become the capital of the Western Roman Empire. It was dominated by various nations for years to come and was eventually annexed by the Kingdom of Italy in 1859. Milan suffered much devastation during World War Two and became the centre of the Italian Resistance. Afterwards, Milan’s economy underwent a period of significant growth, which attracted a large number of immigrants from Southern Italy. Many international immigrants have also made Milan their home, giving the city a distinctly cosmopolitan vibe.
With its long and impressive history, it stands to reason that you will find plenty to see and do in Milan. There are numerous churches, historical monuments, landmarks and museums where you can sample Milanese culture. Some of the most notable museums worth paying a visit to include the Pinacoteca di Brera, a world-class museum containing significant Italian art collections; the Sforzesco Castle, which houses a number of the city’s museums and art collections; the Civico Museo Archeologico, where you can see Roman antiques; the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of Science and Technology; and the Natural Science Museum.
If you’re interested in exploring the city’s sights, it may be worth paying a visit to some of the churches including the Duomo; Saint Mary of the Graces and Santa Maria del Carmine. There are other notable buildings, monuments and squares worth seeing, such as La Scala Theatre; Ca' Granda Old Hospital; the Palazzo Marino; the Casa Campanini; the Piazza del Duomo; and Leonardo's Horse. The city also contains beautiful parks, including Sempione Park and the Giardini pubblici.
Milan also has its own gay scene, which is predominantly located in the Porta Venezia area of the city. You will find that this is where most of the gay bars and other gay-friendly establishments are located. Plus, the city also has its own gay pride event that is held annually in June. It is therefore difficult to imagine running out of things to do during your stay in Milan.