Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II has all that makes Milan special: fashion, culture, art, history, and great food. The building is the oldest shopping mall in the city and a must-see for anyone who wants to get close to Italian culture while shopping.
Milan is the fashion capital of Italy (some say it is the fashion capital of the world), and you'll find reasons for this statement across the city. The best examples include the famous shopping district Quadrilatero della Moda and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II mall.
Both places have a strong presence of world famous luxury brands. These include Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, and Rolex. However, the history of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II sets it apart. You'll often see a large crowd of people in the shopping arcade as it is central to two of the best known places in Milan, the Duomo and Teatro alla Scala.
Its position as a path from Piazza del Duomo to Piazza della Scala ensures that people (locals and tourists) keep coming here in all seasons. This earned it the name Il Salotto di Milano (Milan's living room or Milan's drawing room). Piazza della Scala is the location of Milan's famous opera house, and Piazza del Duomo is where you'll find Milan's most popular landmark, Duomo di Milano (more on both later).
Aside from being a great place to shop, the mall's beauty, central location, fine dining restaurants, and nearby highly rated hotels make it a must-visit place.
History
The mall is one of the key symbols of Italy's unification. Before 1861, the country was divided into multiple states and isles. King Vittorio Emanuele II, Camillo Benso, and Giuseppe Garibaldi were players in the process to unify Italy. They are often called the 'fathers of the fatherland'.
Building the mall in the city's center was part of an effort to improve Piazza del Duomo. It was named after Vittorio Emanuele II, the first King of the unified kingdom.
Famed architect Giuseppe Mengoni was in charge of the project, which took 12 years to build. Many agree that the mall is Mengoni's best work. The recorded completion year is 1877, the same year Mengoni passed away.
Architecture
The building has neoclassical and Renaissance revival elements. There are four triumphal arches leading into hallways with glass vaulted arcades. The arcades are connected by a glass dome over an octagon in the middle.
The best feature of the mall is its iron and glass roof. This allows natural light to flood the space, creating a bright, airy walkway. The size of the glass and iron roof made it unique when it was finished, as it was the largest at the time.
Its large central dome is 47 meters above the floor and 36 meters in diameter. It has nice wall paintings and statues which show its rich history. The iconic arcade has been updated many times over its lifetime to ensure it remains sound.
The floors have mosaic patterns that showcase the coats of arms for Milan, Turin, and Florence and a popular image of a bull close to the center of the mall. These details add to the charm of the mall.
Over the years, a tradition has formed around the mosaics on the floor. Spinning three times on the bull is supposed to bring you good luck, and you're likely to find a line of tourists here waiting for their turn to do the 'bull spin'.
The Silver Screen
It's no surprise that filmmakers love the mall. Many high-profile movies include scenes in which the arcade enhances the drama. Notable ones include the spy movie Anna, which has a great night scene of the arcade. The suspense movie The International showed the mosaic floor in all its glory. The Devil Wears Prada II is a more recent example with a dramatic scene of the arcade's beauty.
Nearby Attractions
In addition to hosting some of the world's best high-end fashion stores, the main hall connects two of Milan's most popular places. The world-famous Duomo di Milano and Piazza della Scala.
Duomo di Milano
Duomo di Milano is a Gothic church with detailed carvings and sculptures. Its exterior has many 19th-century statues, which offer a good insight into the building style.
Piazza della Scala
Piazza della Scala is a square in the heart of Milan. It houses Teatro alla Scala, the city's famous opera house, which has hosted performances since 1812. The square also has a statue of one of Italy's most celebrated figures, Leonardo da Vinci.
Ferrari Store
Ferrari fans will be happy to know that the Ferrari store in Milan is right next to the mall's east entrance. Here, fans of the famous Italian marque can buy Ferrari gear or try one of the F1 car simulators and enjoy a drive around a race track.
Notable Fine Dining Restaurants
Camparino
Camparino opened its doors in 1915 and is known for classic Italian drinks. Its early 20th-century look aligns with the mall's beauty. Top menu items here include classics like Milanese Risotto and Catalan Lobster. An added benefit to dining here is the location of its terrace. It's next to the entrance facing the Piazza del Duomo, so guests can admire the beauty of the Duomo while enjoying their meal. Can you guess the popular liquor brand Camparino is associated with (hint: their names are almost identical)?
Fact worth noting: Howard Schultz's 1983 visit to the coffee bar at Camparino inspired his $133 billion Starbucks empire.
Savani Milano
Like Camparino, Savani Milano serves great cuisine. It started business in 1867 and still proudly aligns with the Belle Époque period. Despite its age, it has remained one of Milan's premiere fine dining eateries.
The restaurant is known for its classic Italian menu, tasteful dining area, and creative dishes. It is popular with many of Italy's well-known figures and other famous people visiting Milan. Notable past patrons include Henry Ford, Carla Fracci, and Frank Sinatra.
Biffi Café
Biffi Café opened its doors before the mall was built and moved into the building shortly after its completion. IT started out as a bakery by Paolo Biffi, the king's baker, its pastries were popular among the rich people in Milan.
Today, Biffi offers a fine dining menu with seafood and meat dishes to delight their customers.
Hotels
Visitors looking to stay close to the mall have good options. The mall is close to some of Milan's best hotels, like Galleria Vik Milano, the Bulgari Hotel, and the Mandarin Oriental. Each of these provide a unique experience.
Galleria Vik Milano is in the same building as the mall. It combines modern design with the city's Gothic charm, giving guests the perfect balance between comfort and charm.
The Bulgari Hotel, on the other hand, gives guests a different experience. Nestled in a garden in a quiet part of town, the hotel offers an escape from the busy city.
Beyond being close to the mall, the Mandarin Oriental's beautiful interiors and service make a case for being the hotel to select when in Milan.
Frequently Asked Questions about the mall
Why is Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II famous?
The building is famous for being Milan's oldest active shopping mall.
How to visit Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II?
The mall is in the center of Milan. You can get there by private ride, train, or taxi. The mall is at the meeting point of two main streets and should be easy to get to from any part of the city.
What is the oldest shopping mall in the world?
Many consider Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II the world's oldest shopping mall. However, a case can be made for the Royal Exchange, depending on how you define a mall. Its provision for retail outlets back in the 16th century may qualify it as the oldest mall in the world.
What shops are in the building?
You'll find various Luxury fashion, watches, perfumes, and cosmetics shops in the mall. Some of the most popular ones include Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Rolex, Bulgari, Chanel, and Dior.
What is the superstition in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II?
A popular tradition has developed around the mosaic bull at the center of the mall’s floor. Spinning three times on it is said to bring good luck. As a result, visitors to the mall often encounter a line of tourists (and some locals) waiting for their turn to take part in the ritual.
What is special about Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II?
The mall features an elegant design and hosts many of the world’s leading fashion brands. Its location near major Milan landmarks, including the Duomo di Milano and Piazza della Scala, further enhances its appeal. These qualities make it a favorite among both locals and tourists.
