Timeline of Milan

The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Milan, Italy.

Milan is a big and important city in Italy with a long and interesting history. Over many years, it has been part of different kingdoms, empires, and nations. People have lived in the area for thousands of years, and Milan has grown into a center for art, culture, and business.

Today, Milan is known for its fashion, design, and rich history. Studying its timeline helps us understand how the city has changed and why it matters in the world. This timeline shows many important events and moments that shaped Milan into what it is today.

BC era

Milan began around 400 BCE when the Celts founded a place called Medhelanon. Later, in 222 BCE, the ancient Romans took over and changed the name to Mediolanum. By 49 BCE, Mediolanum became a municipium, meaning it was a town with its own government.

3rd–8th centuries

The Roman Catholic diocese of Milan was established in the 3rd century CE. In 286 CE, the capital of the Western Roman Empire moved from Rome to Mediolanum, which is modern-day Milan. Important churches like the Basilica of San Lorenzo and Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio were consecrated in the late 300s. The city faced tough times, being besieged by the Visigoths in 402 and the Huns in 452, and later sacked by the Ostrogoths in 539. Eventually, the Lombards took over Milan in 569, and by 774, the city surrendered to the Franks.

11th century

In the year 1045, Milan began using a new way of governing itself called the commune. This system allowed the city to make its own decisions and run like an independent state.

12th–14th centuries

In the 1100s and 1200s, Milan went through many changes. In 1135, the Chiaravalle Abbey was founded. In 1157, a circular moat called the Naviglio was built around the town. In 1158, the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa attacked the city but it fought back. In 1183, Milan returned to being governed by its people. Important buildings like the Palazzo Borromeo, Palazzo della Ragione, and Loggia degli Osii were built during this time. In 1259, the Della Torre family began ruling Milan. In 1277, the Battle of Desio was fought between the Della Torre and Visconti families, and the Visconti family took control. In 1330, work began on Piazza del Duomo and San Gottardo. In 1336, a public clock was installed. Construction began on Castello Sforzesco in 1360 and on Milan Cathedral in 1386. In 1395, Milan became a Duchy when Gian Galeazzo Visconti was named the Duke of Milan.

15th–16th centuries

In the 1400s and 1500s, Milan saw many important events. In 1450, a new family called the House of Sforza began ruling the city. Famous buildings like the Ospedale Maggiore and Santa Maria delle Grazie started being built during this time. In 1498, the artist Leonardo da Vinci painted The Last Supper for the Santa Maria delle Grazie church. The city also faced challenges, such as a plague in 1580.

17th century

In the 1600s, Milan saw many important buildings being built and opened. The Palazzo del Senato began construction in 1608, and the Biblioteca Ambrosiana opened its doors in 1609. The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana also opened in 1618. Sadly, a plague started in 1630. Other notable events include the beginning of Palazzo Annoni's construction in 1631, the first publication of the gazette named Milano in 1640, and the rebuilding of Palazzo delle Scuole Palatine in 1644.

18th century

In the 1700s, Milan saw many important buildings and institutions appear. The Teatro Regio Ducale was built in 1717, and the beautiful Palazzo Litta followed in 1761. In 1762, the famous Madonnina statue was placed on top of the city’s main church. The Royal Palace of Milan was renovated in 1772 and later expanded in 1778. That same year, the wonderful La Scala opera house opened its doors.

Other highlights include the founding of the Brera Academy in 1776, the opening of the Orto Botanico di Brera garden in 1774, and the establishment of the Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli in 1784. The first issue of the newspaper Il Corriere di Gabinetto - Gazzetta di Milano was published in 1785, and the Biblioteca di Brera library opened in 1786. In 1796, Milan became the capital of the Cisalpine Republic, and in 1797, military units known as the Polish Legions were formed there.

19th century

In the 1800s, Milan saw many important changes. In 1802, it became the capital of the Napoleonic Italian Republic. In 1805, Napoleon was crowned King of Italy. Many cultural spots opened, like the Milan Conservatory in 1807 and the Arena Civica the same year. The Milan Stock Exchange started in 1808, and famous shops like Caffè Cova and Pasticceria Marchesi began operating.

There were also big events, such as the Five Days uprising in 1848 against the Austrian Empire. In 1861, Milan became part of the Kingdom of Italy, and the city hall opened in Palazzo Marino. New transportation, like trams in 1876 and railways, helped the city grow. Cultural places like the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and Parco Sempione were built, and important groups such as the Touring Club Italiano were established.

20th century

1900s–1940s

Many important places and events shaped Milan in the early 1900s. In 1902, Bocconi University was founded, and by 1906, the Simplon Tunnel opened. Football clubs like Internazionale Milano and A.C. Milan began, and airports such as Malpensa and Linate started operating. New buildings like Palazzo Castiglioni and Stadio San Siro were built, and cultural spots like La Rinascente shop and Galleria Pesaro opened. The city also saw the start of events like the Milan International world's fair and the Milan Sample Fair.

1950s–1990s

The later half of the century brought more growth to Milan. Fashion became big with Milan Fashion Week starting in 1958, and fashion houses like Armani and Dolce & Gabbana were founded. Universities such as IULM and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University opened, and the Milan Metro began running in 1964. Parks like Parco Alessandrini and Parco Agricolo Sud Milano were created, and cultural centers such as the Padiglione d'Arte Contemporanea were inaugurated. The city also hosted international volleyball events several times during this period.

21st century

In the early 2000s, Milan saw many important events. In 2001, the 2001 UEFA Champions League Final took place in the city, and a new art group called O’artetica began. In 2002, a beautiful garden called the Orto Botanico di Cascina Rosa was created, and a new theater, the Teatro degli Arcimboldi, opened its doors.

Later years brought more changes. In 2006, Letizia Moratti became the mayor of Milan. In 2008, a bike-sharing program named BikeMi started, making it easier for people to ride bikes around the city. In 2011, Giuliano Pisapia took over as mayor. By 2015, Milan hosted a big world fair called Expo 2015. Looking ahead, Milan will join with Cortina d'Ampezzo to host the 2026 Winter Olympics and 2026 Winter Paralympics in February and March of that year.