Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - Milano, Italy
One of the most recognizable landmarks in Milano, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a shopping center that gives true meaning to the phrase “They don’t make ‘em like they used to.”
Located on the north side of the Piazza del Duomo, the Galleria is named in honor of Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of the united Italy. The interior is a work of art in itself with intricate masonry, gorgeous paintings, marble mosaic floors and two vaulted arcades meeting at an immense glass and iron dome. Completed in 1877, it’s home to some of the most elegant and prestigious shops in the world like Prada, Gucci and Louis Vuitton.
A fun tradition (supposedly to ward off evil) is to spin on your heel on the “private parts” of the torino (little bull) on the mosaic floor. In fact, a large indentation has been formed in the tiles after a century of people doing this. It’s amusing to watch people of all ages—from school children to elderly nuns—lining up to take a whirl!
Here are a couple more photos of the Galleria:
This post is part of Travel Photo Thursday. For more interesting shots from around the world, be sure to check out Budget Traveler’s Sandbox!
