Piazza del Duomo, Milan
Encyclopedia
Piazza del Duomo is the main piazza (city square) of Milan
, Italy
. It is named after, and dominated by, the Milan Cathedral (the Duomo). The piazza marks the center of the city, both in a geographic sense and because of its importance from an artistic, cultural, and social point of view. Rectangular in shape, with an overall area of 17.000 m2 (about 183.000 Sq Ft), the piazza includes some of the most important buildings of Milan (and Italy in general), as well some of the most prestigious commercial activities, and it is by far the foremost tourist attraction of the city.
While the piazza was originally created in the 14th century and has been gradually developing ever since (along with the Duomo, that took about 6 centuries to complete), its overall plan, in its current form, is largely due to architect Giuseppe Mengoni
, and dates back to the second half of the 19th century. The monumental buildings that mark its sides, with the main exception of the Duomo itself and the Royal Palace
, were introduced by Mengoni's design; the most notable of Mengoni's addition to the piazza is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
arcade.
(also known as the "broletto"), i.e., the seat of the local government. None of the original buildings of Piazza dell'Arengario has survived.
Azzone's successor Gian Galeazzo Visconti
further enlarged the piazza, ordering the demolition of the bishop's house (in 1385) and the baptistery San Giovanni alle Fonti (in 1387). In the following decades, nevertheless, the piazza did not develop much, but one of the two basilicae, Santa Maria Maggiore, was demolished, as the works for the construction of the Duomo had begun. In 1458, Pope Pius II
granted Francesco Sforza and the Veneranda fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
(the company that was responsible for the construction of the Duomo) the authorization to demolish Santa Tecla to create a larger square that would fit the Duomo's majesty. Somewhat incongruently, the basilica was partially rebuilt in the following years, to be demolished again in the mid 16th century.
The next major modification of the piazza occurred in the second half of the 18th century, when architect Giuseppe Piermarini
thouroghly redesigned the former arengario into the modern Royal Palace; a side effect of Piermarini's design was that of creating another smaller piazza, adjacent to Piazza del Duomo, and thus actually enlarging the open space area.
In the 19th century, architect Giulio Beccaria was hired by Ferdinand I of Austria
to redesign the piazza again. Beccaria's main contribution to the urban planning of the area was the construction of the palace
that thereafter would serve as the headquarters of the Fabbrica del Duomo, located to the south-east of the cathedral.
A major twist in the piazza's evolution came about after the Second Italian War of Independence
(1859). In 1860, the government of the city proclaimed the intention to radically redesign the piazza and to create a new major avenue to celebrate King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy
. Several architectural design competitions followed, whereby the plan of the new piazza gradually took place. The restructuring was eventually commissioned to architect Giuseppe Mengoni
, and the works began in 1865. From 1865 to 1873, based on Mengoni's design, the piazza acquired most of its modern landmarks, including the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
arcade (built in 1864-1867) and the two "Palazzi dei Portici" ("Portico Palaces") that mark its southern and northern boundaries.
Mengoni's work, in any case, was not hitchless. The company that was responsible for the works, City of Milan Improvements Company of London
, eventually experienced financial problems, so that the government of Milan had to take charge. Part of the area of the Galleria was sold to private owners, with the obligation to complete the works according to Mengoni's design. In 1875, when the two Portico Palaces were finally completed, new funding problems endangered the realization of the two triumph arches that were included in the design; Mengoni eventually decided to fund the construction himself. When Mengoni died in 1877, only one of the arches, the one at the entrance of the Galleria, was completed; the construction of second arch was abandoned. Mengoni actually died in Piazza del Duomo, falling from a scaffolding while he was supervising the works.
In 1896, the statue of King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy was inaugurated in the centre of the piazza. This marked the completion of the restructuring initiated by the city authorities in 1860.
The last major change to the piazza occurred during the Fascist
era, when the Arengario
was built in the place where Mengoni had planned to create a second triumph arch, opposite across the square to the Galleria. The Arengario had the main purpose of letting the local podestà
(or Benito Mussolini
himself) make speeches to the population; it now houses a museum on 20th century art.
On the 25th of July 1978 English avant-prog
ensemble Henry Cow
played their last concert in the plaza
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. It is named after, and dominated by, the Milan Cathedral (the Duomo). The piazza marks the center of the city, both in a geographic sense and because of its importance from an artistic, cultural, and social point of view. Rectangular in shape, with an overall area of 17.000 m2 (about 183.000 Sq Ft), the piazza includes some of the most important buildings of Milan (and Italy in general), as well some of the most prestigious commercial activities, and it is by far the foremost tourist attraction of the city.
While the piazza was originally created in the 14th century and has been gradually developing ever since (along with the Duomo, that took about 6 centuries to complete), its overall plan, in its current form, is largely due to architect Giuseppe Mengoni
Giuseppe Mengoni
Giuseppe Mengoni was an Italian architect. He designed the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan. He died by accident, falling off the roof of the gallery he had built....
, and dates back to the second half of the 19th century. The monumental buildings that mark its sides, with the main exception of the Duomo itself and the Royal Palace
Royal Palace of Milan
The Royal Palace of Milan was the seat of government of the Italian city of Milan for many centuries, but today is an important cultural centre, home to expositions and exhibitions....
, were introduced by Mengoni's design; the most notable of Mengoni's addition to the piazza is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a double arcade in the center of Milan, Italy. The structure is formed by two glass-vaulted arcades intersecting in an octagon covering the street connecting Piazza del Duomo to Piazza della Scala....
arcade.
History
The origins of Piazza del Duomo can be traced back to the vision of Azzone Visconti (lord of Milan from 1329 to 1339). In 1330, Azzone ordered the demolition of the taverns that circled the two central churches of Milan of the time, the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore and the Basilica of Santa Tecla, to create a market square, called "Piazza dell'Arengo", which is the first incarnation of what is now Piazza del Duomo. The piazza was named after the arengarioArengario
The Italian word arengario refers to government buildings of different historic periods...
(also known as the "broletto"), i.e., the seat of the local government. None of the original buildings of Piazza dell'Arengario has survived.
Azzone's successor Gian Galeazzo Visconti
Gian Galeazzo Visconti
Gian Galeazzo Visconti , son of Galeazzo II Visconti and Bianca of Savoy, was the first Duke of Milan and ruled the late-medieval city just before the dawn of the Renaissance...
further enlarged the piazza, ordering the demolition of the bishop's house (in 1385) and the baptistery San Giovanni alle Fonti (in 1387). In the following decades, nevertheless, the piazza did not develop much, but one of the two basilicae, Santa Maria Maggiore, was demolished, as the works for the construction of the Duomo had begun. In 1458, Pope Pius II
Pope Pius II
Pope Pius II, born Enea Silvio Piccolomini was Pope from August 19, 1458 until his death in 1464. Pius II was born at Corsignano in the Sienese territory of a noble but decayed family...
granted Francesco Sforza and the Veneranda fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
The Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano is a 600 years old organization that was established to supervise the construction of the Cathedral of Milan . The organization is still active and involved with the maintenance, preservation, and restoration of the cathedral...
(the company that was responsible for the construction of the Duomo) the authorization to demolish Santa Tecla to create a larger square that would fit the Duomo's majesty. Somewhat incongruently, the basilica was partially rebuilt in the following years, to be demolished again in the mid 16th century.
The next major modification of the piazza occurred in the second half of the 18th century, when architect Giuseppe Piermarini
Giuseppe Piermarini
Giuseppe Piermarini was an Italian architect who trained with Luigi Vanvitelli at Rome and designed the Teatro alla Scala, Milan , which remains the work by which he is remembered. Indeed, "il Piermarini" serves as an occasional euphemism for the celebrated opera house...
thouroghly redesigned the former arengario into the modern Royal Palace; a side effect of Piermarini's design was that of creating another smaller piazza, adjacent to Piazza del Duomo, and thus actually enlarging the open space area.
In the 19th century, architect Giulio Beccaria was hired by Ferdinand I of Austria
Ferdinand I of Austria
Ferdinand I was Emperor of Austria, President of the German Confederation, King of Hungary and Bohemia , as well as associated dominions from the death of his father, Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor, until his abdication after the Revolutions of 1848.He married Maria Anna of Savoy, the sixth child...
to redesign the piazza again. Beccaria's main contribution to the urban planning of the area was the construction of the palace
Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano
The Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano is a 600 years old organization that was established to supervise the construction of the Cathedral of Milan . The organization is still active and involved with the maintenance, preservation, and restoration of the cathedral...
that thereafter would serve as the headquarters of the Fabbrica del Duomo, located to the south-east of the cathedral.
A major twist in the piazza's evolution came about after the Second Italian War of Independence
Second Italian War of Independence
The Second War of Italian Independence, Franco-Austrian War, Austro-Sardinian War, or Austro-Piedmontese War , was fought by Napoleon III of France and the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia against the Austrian Empire in 1859...
(1859). In 1860, the government of the city proclaimed the intention to radically redesign the piazza and to create a new major avenue to celebrate King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy
Victor Emmanuel II of Italy
Victor Emanuel II was king of Sardinia from 1849 and, on 17 March 1861, he assumed the title King of Italy to become the first king of a united Italy since the 6th century, a title he held until his death in 1878...
. Several architectural design competitions followed, whereby the plan of the new piazza gradually took place. The restructuring was eventually commissioned to architect Giuseppe Mengoni
Giuseppe Mengoni
Giuseppe Mengoni was an Italian architect. He designed the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan. He died by accident, falling off the roof of the gallery he had built....
, and the works began in 1865. From 1865 to 1873, based on Mengoni's design, the piazza acquired most of its modern landmarks, including the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a double arcade in the center of Milan, Italy. The structure is formed by two glass-vaulted arcades intersecting in an octagon covering the street connecting Piazza del Duomo to Piazza della Scala....
arcade (built in 1864-1867) and the two "Palazzi dei Portici" ("Portico Palaces") that mark its southern and northern boundaries.
Mengoni's work, in any case, was not hitchless. The company that was responsible for the works, City of Milan Improvements Company of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, eventually experienced financial problems, so that the government of Milan had to take charge. Part of the area of the Galleria was sold to private owners, with the obligation to complete the works according to Mengoni's design. In 1875, when the two Portico Palaces were finally completed, new funding problems endangered the realization of the two triumph arches that were included in the design; Mengoni eventually decided to fund the construction himself. When Mengoni died in 1877, only one of the arches, the one at the entrance of the Galleria, was completed; the construction of second arch was abandoned. Mengoni actually died in Piazza del Duomo, falling from a scaffolding while he was supervising the works.
In 1896, the statue of King Victor Emmanuel II of Italy was inaugurated in the centre of the piazza. This marked the completion of the restructuring initiated by the city authorities in 1860.
Italian Fascism
Italian Fascism also known as Fascism with a capital "F" refers to the original fascist ideology in Italy. This ideology is associated with the National Fascist Party which under Benito Mussolini ruled the Kingdom of Italy from 1922 until 1943, the Republican Fascist Party which ruled the Italian...
era, when the Arengario
Arengario
The Italian word arengario refers to government buildings of different historic periods...
was built in the place where Mengoni had planned to create a second triumph arch, opposite across the square to the Galleria. The Arengario had the main purpose of letting the local podestà
Podestà
Podestà is the name given to certain high officials in many Italian cities, since the later Middle Ages, mainly as Chief magistrate of a city state , but also as a local administrator, the representative of the Emperor.The term derives from the Latin word potestas, meaning power...
(or Benito Mussolini
Benito Mussolini
Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian politician who led the National Fascist Party and is credited with being one of the key figures in the creation of Fascism....
himself) make speeches to the population; it now houses a museum on 20th century art.
On the 25th of July 1978 English avant-prog
Avant-garde music
Avant-garde music is a term used to characterize music which is thought to be ahead of its time, i.e. containing innovative elements or fusing different genres....
ensemble Henry Cow
Henry Cow
Henry Cow were an English avant-rock group, founded at Cambridge University in 1968 by multi-instrumentalists Fred Frith and Tim Hodgkinson. Henry Cow's personnel fluctuated over their decade together, but drummer Chris Cutler and bassoonist/oboist Lindsay Cooper were important long-term members...
played their last concert in the plaza
Monuments
- The Duomo di MilanoDuomo di MilanoMilan Cathedral is the cathedral church of Milan, Italy. Dedicated to Santa Maria Nascente , it is the seat of the Archbishop of Milan, currently Cardinal Angelo Scola....
(Milan Cathedral) - The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele IIGalleria Vittorio Emanuele IIThe Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a double arcade in the center of Milan, Italy. The structure is formed by two glass-vaulted arcades intersecting in an octagon covering the street connecting Piazza del Duomo to Piazza della Scala....
- The Palazzo dell'ArengarioPalazzo dell'ArengarioThe Arengario Palace is a complex of two symmetrical buildings located in Piazza del Duomo, the central plaza of Milan, Italy. It was completed in the 1950s and currently houses the Museo del Novecento, a museum dedicated to 20th century art...
- The Palazzo CarminatiPalazzo CarminatiPalazzo Carminati is the palace facing the Milan Cathedral on the West side of Piazza del Duomo, the central plaza of Milan, Italy....
- The Palazzo dei Portici Settentrionali
- The Palazzo dei Portici Meridionali
- The Royal Palace of MilanRoyal Palace of MilanThe Royal Palace of Milan was the seat of government of the Italian city of Milan for many centuries, but today is an important cultural centre, home to expositions and exhibitions....
- The Monument to King Victor Emmanuel II