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Architecture · Milão, Lombardia
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
19th-century glass-and-iron covered gallery that links the Piazza del Duomo to the Piazza della Scala, with shops, historic cafés and mosaics on the floor.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a covered passage shaped like a cross, with a glass-and-iron roof and a central dome. It was designed by Giuseppe Mengoni and built between 1865 and 1877, in the early years of a unified Italy; the name honors the country's first king. Mengoni died after falling from a scaffold shortly before the inauguration.
The gallery links the Piazza del Duomo to the Piazza della Scala and functions as a covered street. It houses luxury shops, bookstores and historic cafés and restaurants, some open since the late 19th century. The people of Milan call the place il salotto di Milano, the city's living room.
On the floor of the central octagon, mosaics show the coats of arms of Milão, Turim, Florença and Roma. On the bull of Turim, tradition has it that you spin on your heel for luck, and the worn mark in the mosaic shows how many have done it. Also look up: the lunettes' frescoes represent the continents.
Entrance is free and the passage remains open late. There is also a paid route across the gallery roofs, with views of the dome and the Duomo: check before you go.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
30 minutes to cross and look at the details; more time if you stop for a coffee.
Best time
Early in the morning it's quieter and good for photos. At night the dome's lighting changes the atmosphere of the place.
How to get there
It starts at the Piazza del Duomo, beside the cathedral (metro M1 and M3, Duomo station). At the other end it finishes at the Piazza della Scala.
Tip
The cafés in the gallery charge more for table service. Getting coffee at the counter, standing up like Italians do, is cheaper. Keep an eye on your belongings, because the place gets crowded.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Do you have to pay to enter the gallery?
No. Entry is free and the passage is open to the public. Only the roof route, when it operates, is paid.
What's the story about spinning on the bull?
In the mosaic of the Turin coat of arms at the center of the gallery, the tradition is to spin on your heel over the bull to bring luck. It's an old custom among tourists and Milanese.
Which places does the gallery connect?
It links Piazza del Duomo to Piazza della Scala, where the Teatro alla Scala is located. It's the natural route between the two.