However, you might be unaware,  but there is an extra-special area in Milan where people can experience the marvelous style of outstanding Italian luxury and purchase diverse brands for high-class society. Here, we are talking about Via Montenapoleone, located right in the heart of Milan; Europe’s most expensive street.

Via Montenapoleone is definitely considered not only as Europe’s most expensive street but also as one of the most sophisticated and luxurious, while also impressing with an exceedingly large shopping center. In Montenapoleone, people can find different luxury brands, born for fashion and trend followers. In the present time, it is really a nirvana for shopping lovers, but it actually began its life way back at the end of the 19^th Century.

The Story Behind Its Bricks

Why is it named Montenapoleone? The history of Via Montenapoleone actually dates back to quite a long time ago, from the 18^th century (in 1783) when Monte Camerale di Santa Teresa was established. This was a financial institution that had a role in managing public debt. From the first name of this institution–Monte–comes the first part of the street’s name. While the part Napoleone was taken from the metropolis’ role as the capital of the Napoleonic Italian Republic.

In its past, the street has experienced memorable history such as being the place where the writer Carlo Porta and the poet Tomasso Grossi passed away. To move past its morbid history, this area was also where the famous Giuseppe Verdi composed Nabucco in the 19^th Century–1840, to be exact. Before it became a high-end shopping area, the street was called el Quartier de Riverissi. This Italian name refers to the custom of the Milanese gentlemen to take their hat off as a sign of respect to greet a lady who lived and had their homes there.

Since the end of the 19th Century, more and more people have characterized Montenapoleone as an example of luxurious lifestyle, an example marked by the rich families who moved there. And from that time, these families began to open several antique businesses that gained an international reputation.

These people included the jewelers such as Annibale Cusi, whose jewelry became the official supplier of Casa Savoia. Other names in the list were Buccellati, Faraone and Pederzani and the Lorenzi cutlery, which opened in the first half of the 20^th Century.

From History To Worldwide Recognition

Now, Via Montenapoleone or Montenapoleone Shopping District is called the Quadrilatero della Moda in Italian, which means the Square of Fashion. Its name is due simply for the fact that it is a high-class shopping area that houses numerous famous luxury brands including Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Versace, Armani and many others. It is often associated with the rich Milanese bourgeoisie and called as a point of reference for shoppers as it is filled with luxury shops and showrooms.

From the 1950s, Via Montenapoleone has been recognized as one of the most important streets in global trade. In this area, in particular, Parini, Moretti and Montenapoleone Salumaio, have become, in some ways, the standout points and cornerstones of the street; its main identity.

How To Reach The District

Reaching Via Montenapoleone is not at all difficult as there is two subway stops available, Montenapoleone-M3 (yellow line) and San Babila-M1 (red line). After you arrive in the area, you can explore its small streets made in beautiful Italian architectural style.

The sides of Montenapoleone Quadrilatero include Via Montenapoleone itself, Via Manzoni, Via della Spiga and Corso Venezia. However, there are also some lovely small streets in the district, including Via Gesù (which literally means Jesus Street), Via Bagutta, Via Santo Spirito (which is literally Holy Spirit Street), Borgospesso and Baggutino.

If you decide to visit, you must definitely explore each corner of this huge shopping district, as every street tells its own story and provides significant remarks on the current fashion industry. And so, there we have it: Europe’s most expensive street. The street where every shopper’s wildest dream is realized (as long as you have the cash!)

Want to explore more of Milan? Why not start by exploring Corso Sempione?

The post Europe’s Most Expensive Street: Everything You Need To Know appeared first on Modern Trekker.

Furthermore, the castles luxury presence is accompanied by its stupendous and vast park where people can go jogging, have a picnic or take their dogs for a walk. At the end of Parco Sempione (Sempione Park), there is the great Arco della Pace (The Arch of Peace), which is a historic 23-meter monument (75 feet).

To arrive at this castle and its wonderful park, one can simply take the red subway line and stop at Cairoli station. Actually, there are three subway stops to reach the place, including Cairoli – M1 (red line), Cadorna – M1 (red line) and Lanza – M2 (green line).

Exploring Corso Sempione

And after enjoying a good time at the castle and at the park, visitors may end the beautiful day at Corso Sempione, a fantastic street where they can discover different bars and restaurants to refill their energy, relax and have a lovely evening. Corso Sempione is located right after the exit of Arco della Pace. Before Corso Sempione became a famous area to pick for a relaxed evening, the place used to be a parade ground until the late nineteenth century.

Furthermore, if visitors decide to directly come to this street without spending the time at the park or the castle, they can reach it easily by taking a tram that also passes to and from Duomo Milano (Milan Cathedral), another main tourist attraction in the city.

The electrification of urban tramways took place in the late 19^th Century and two tramway railway carriages were constructed in the area. The tram lines that bring visitors to Corso Sempione are number 1 and number 10. Corso Sempione always has intense traffic as it consists of two side roads, where public transportations, motorcycles, bicycles and cars pass all day.

Aperitivo or Apericena

After arriving at Corso Sempione, the evening can be started by stopping at a bar as there are numerous choices to pick here. Notables include BhangraBar, Deseo, La Posteria di Nonna Papera, and Duomo dal 1952. There are many bars offering Happy Hour and aperitivo or even better, apericena. If visitors are not familiar with these two words, aperitivo actually means small snacks and cocktails before dinner. Nevertheless, many bars in Milan often offer more than simple aperitivo. And this is when the term apericena comes in. With apericena, consumers can find more than just snacks after buying their delicious cocktails at bars. Usually, at apericena, they can find full-course meals, starting from appetizers, first courses, second courses and desserts. The prices for the cocktails accompanied with free and rich buffet are not really high, ranging from €10 to €16 on average, varying from one place to another.

And when they don’t fancy having a rich buffet in order to avoid eating excessively, they can still pick a regular restaurant or pizzeria in Corso Sempione that offers outstanding Italian dishes. The choices in Corso Sempione are unlimited. One just has to explore and discover his preference in the area.

Even better, if a restaurant or a bar that they pick is in a strategic place, they can enjoy their meal with a stunning view of Arco della Pace, where, during times of beautiful weather, people will usually opt to eat outdoors.

Want to explore more of Milan? Why not start by exploring Via Montenapoleone, Europe’s most expensive street?

The post How To Explore Corso Sempione Like A Milanese Local appeared first on Modern Trekker.