Milan

Milano, known in English as Milan, is the main city of Lombardy, in northern Italy. It is the second-largest city in Italy after Rome. Many people live there – about 1.4 million in the city itself and over 6 million in the surrounding area.

Milan plays a big role in Italy's economy, helping to create jobs and wealth. The city is also famous around the world for its fashion, art, and hosting big events.

History

People first settled in Milan around 590 BC. Later, the Romans took control and named the city Mediolanum. During the Renaissance, Milan was very wealthy and powerful. The city helped shape Italy’s culture and politics.

Economy and Culture

Milan is a key center for business, money, science, and communication. It is famous for fashion and is one of the top tourist spots in the world. The city has many museums and art galleries, including works by Leonardo da Vinci. Every year, Milan holds big events like Milan Fashion Week and the Milan Furniture Fair.

Sports

Milan is home to two famous football teams, AC Milan and Internazionale Milano, as well as a top basketball team, Olimpia Milano. The city helped host the Winter Olympic and Paralympic games in 2026.

Etymology

Milan started with a Celtic name, Medhelanon. The ancient Romans changed it to Mediolanum. In Celtic language, medhe- means "middle, center." The word -lanon is like the Latin -planum, meaning "plain." So the name described a place in the middle of a plain, with rivers like the Olona, Lambro, and Seveso nearby.

The Latin name Mediolanum comes from words meaning "middle" and "plain." Some scholars think lanum might come from a Celtic word for a special area or enclosure. This could mean Mediolanum was an important town for a Celtic tribe. Other ideas connect the name to an old symbol of the city, a boar.

History

Main article: History of Milan

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Milan.

Celtic era

Around 590 BC, a Celtic tribe called the Insubres settled in the area and called their village Medhelanon. They built a sacred space, a sanctuary, that helped shape the city's early streets and squares.

Roman times

Main article: Mediolanum

Later, the Romans took control and renamed the city Mediolanum. They built large public spaces like a theatre and an amphitheatre and surrounded the city with walls. In 313 AD, an important agreement called the Edict of Milan was made here, allowing more freedom for different religions. The city grew and became important to the Roman Empire.

Middle Ages

Main article: Lordship of Milan

After the Roman era, Milan faced attacks but kept growing. In the Middle Ages, it became a powerful city-state, sometimes fighting with nearby cities. By the late 1300s, Milan became a duchy, ruled by families like the Visconti and later the Sforza. This time brought great art and architecture to the city, including works by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci.

Early modern

Main article: Duchy of Milan

In the years that followed, Milan had many different rulers, from French to Spanish control. Even with challenges like wars and sicknesses, the city kept growing. It became a center for trade and culture, with important buildings and artworks being created.

Late modern and contemporary

On 18 March 1848, Milan stood up against rulers from Austria during a time called the "Five Days." This helped lead to Italy coming together as one country. In the 1900s, Milan became a leader in industry and fashion. The city faced difficult times during World War II but rebuilt and continued to grow. Today, Milan is known for its fashion, design, and as a place where many important events take place.

Geography

Milan is in the north-western part of the Po Valley, between the river Po and the Alps. It is close to big lakes such as Como, Maggiore, and Lugano. The land in Milan is flat, and the highest point is only 122 metres above sea level.

The city of Milan covers about 181 square kilometres, and in 2025 it had over 1.3 million people. The larger area around Milan, called the Metropolitan City of Milan, covers 1,575 square kilometres and has more than 3 million people. Milan has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and cold, sometimes snowy winters. The city is protected by mountains, which help keep some of the harsh weather away.

Administration

Milan is governed by a City Council. It has 48 elected members who help make decisions. The city is led by a Mayor, currently Giuseppe Sala. The Mayor works with 12 assistants to manage daily tasks.

Milan is the capital of the Metropolitan city of Milan. This larger area helps coordinate services like transportation and schools for nearby towns. The Mayor of Milan also leads this area.

Milan is also the capital of the Lombardy region. It is one of Italy’s twenty regions and the most populated, with over ten million people. The region is governed by a Regional Council with 80 elected members.

Cityscape

Main article: History of architecture and art in Milan

See also: List of buildings in Milan and Villas and palaces in Milan

Milan is known for its beautiful buildings and art. The city has played an important role in the history of architecture and in art history. It is home to many famous churches, including Milan's Cathedral, the largest church in Italy. This cathedral is a great example of Gothic architecture.

Many famous architects have worked in Milan over the years. In the past, strong leaders built important places such as churches and palaces. Today, Milan is also a center for industry and modern architecture. The city has tall buildings and new areas that blend old and new styles.

Milan has many parks and gardens too. Sempione Park and Montanelli Gardens are two large parks in the city center. They have lakes, gardens, and places to learn about nature. Other parks like Monte Stella offer great views of the city and nearby areas. Even in busy parts of Milan, you can find quiet gardens and green spaces to enjoy.

Demographics

As of 2026, Milan has a population of 1,362,863 people. About half are male and half are female. Young people make up 14% of the population, while older adults make up about 23%.

Milan’s population today is smaller than it was in the past. In 1973, the city had over 1.7 million people. After that, many moved to live in nearby towns and suburbs. The area around Milan now has more than 6 million people, making it one of the biggest urban areas in Europe.

Immigration

Many people from different countries live in Milan. Most residents come from Italy, but there are also people from Egypt, the Philippines, China, Peru, and Bangladesh. Over the past 15 years, the number of people living in Milan who were born in another country has more than doubled.

After World War II, Milan saw lots of people move there from poorer parts of Italy. Later, people from many other countries came to live in the city. Today, Milan is very multicultural, with people from Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

Milan has large communities from East Asia, especially from the Philippines and China. There is also a well-known area called Chinatown. The city also has communities from the Horn of Africa, such as Eritrea and Ethiopia, and many people from Arab countries, especially Egypt.

Religion

Most people in Milan are Catholic, and the city is an important place for the Catholic Church. There are also communities of other religions in Milan, including Protestant, Orthodox, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist families. The city has many places of worship for these different faiths.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Milan

Milan is very important for Italy because it is a big city for business. While Rome is the capital, Milan is known as the economic heart of Italy. It is one of the richest cities in the country.

Milan is famous for fashion and design. Many big fashion brands, like Armani and Prada, have their main offices there. The city also has factories and offices for companies that make things like cars, steel, and technology. There are also banks, insurance companies, and places where people can buy and sell things. Because of all these businesses, Milan is a busy city with many jobs and opportunities.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Milan

Milan is a city full of culture, with many museums and art galleries. The Pinacoteca di Brera is one of the most important art galleries in the city, showing many famous paintings. The Castello Sforzesco has many art collections, including works by famous artists like Leonardo da Vinci.

The city has a long history of art, going back to the Middle Ages. Leonardo da Vinci worked in Milan and painted The Last Supper. Milan was also influenced by the Baroque period and later became a center for modern art movements like Futurism.

Milan is famous for its music. The city is home to La Scala opera house, where many famous operas were first performed. The city has many theaters, orchestras, and music schools, and has been home to many famous composers and musicians.

Milan is known for its fashion and design. It is one of the world’s fashion capitals, with many famous fashion brands based there. The city hosts Milan Fashion Week twice a year, showing new fashion designs. Milan is also known for its high-quality furniture and design, with many important design fairs held in the city.

Milan has a rich literary history. In the past, it was an important place for intellectual discussions and creative writing. Many famous writers and poets lived and worked in Milan.

Milan is also a major media center, with many newspapers, magazines, and television networks based there. The city has a strong tradition of journalism and publishing.

Milan has its own special foods, like cotoletta alla milanese (a breaded veal cutlet) and risotto alla milanese (a rice dish with saffron). The city is known for its delicious pastries, cheeses, and wines, making it a great place to explore food and dining.

Sport

Milan has hosted many important sports events. It welcomed matches during the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship. It also held events like the 2003 World Rowing Championships and the 2009 World Boxing Championships. In 2018, Milan hosted the World Figure Skating Championships. Together with Cortina d'Ampezzo, it will host the 2026 Winter Olympics and 2026 Winter Paralympics.

The city is famous for its two top football clubs, AC Milan and Inter. They both play at the large San Siro stadium. Milan also has basketball teams, including Olimpia Milano. There are teams for other sports like American football, cricket, and rugby. The nearby Monza Circuit is a historic track for Formula One racing. Milan is the starting point for the famous Milan–San Remo cycling race.

Education

Milan is a special place for learning. It has many schools and universities. The Polytechnic University of Milan is the oldest university. It teaches engineering, design, and architecture. The University of Milan is another big university. Students study medicine, science, and law there.

There are also smaller universities and art schools in Milan. The University of Milano-Bicocca studies science and technology. The Catholic University of the Sacred Heart is a large private university. Milan has famous art schools, like the Milan Academy of Fine Arts and the Marangoni Institute. Students learn about painting, fashion, and design.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Milan

Milan is a very important place for transportation in Italy and Europe. It has a big train station that is very busy. There are also three airports near Milan that help many people travel.

Milan has many ways to get around the city. There are five subway lines, many tram and bus lines, and special buses that run on electric power. There are also services to help people rent bikes or cars. The city works hard to make it safer and easier for everyone to travel, including those who ride bikes.

International relations

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Italy

Milan has many partner cities around the world. These partnerships help the cities work together and share ideas. One of these partners is Saint Petersburg. They stopped working together for a time but started again later. Saint Petersburg is still a partner city of Milan.

People

Main article: List of people from Milan

Some people from Milan have been given special honors called honorary citizenship. This means the city thinks their work or achievements are very important.