January 23, 2024
Milan, the fashion and design capital of Italy, isn't just a city of runways and haute couture. It's also an extraordinary destination for meetings and events, seamlessly blending historic charm with modern sophistication.
The city stands as a testament to centuries of cultural, artistic, and economic evolution, and boasts a rich and storied history. Its origins trace back to Celtic and Gallic settlements in pre-Roman times, but it flourished as a Roman municipality in 222 BC, known as Mediolanum. The city's strategic location in northern Italy contributed to its prominence as a crossroads for trade and commerce during the Roman Empire. Today, as a global fashion, design, and financial hub, Milan seamlessly blends its rich historical tapestry with a dynamic and cosmopolitan present.
Venues that evoke elegance
MiCo - Milano Convention Centre, one of the largest convention centers in Europe and located in the heart of Milan's modern business district, boasts cutting-edge facilities for conferences, exhibitions, and corporate events. The spaces covering an area of almost 80,000 square meters are designed for maximum flexibility and the most intuitive connection of the areas. All of the rooms are modular and can accommodate from 20 to 4,000 people in theatre style. Over 54.000 square meters are also available to exhibitors. The original comet-shaped cover is now the hallmark of Allianz MiCo and a reference point for the city of Milan.
Palazzo Cordusio Gran Melia Milano
This new magnificent 5 star hotel in Milan city centre opened its doors in December 2023 in the Palazzo Venezia. Gran Meliá's first property in Milan bursts into the city of fashion, blending a distinctly Italian flair and the essence of the capital of Lombardy with the warmest Spanish service. In the heart of Milan, close to the Duomo square and the Quadrilatero della Moda, the hotel offers a gateway to Milan’s great cultural heritage through its deep knowledge of the city and its energy, contributes to the new renaissance of Piazza Cordusio and features Italian and international cuisine with sensational 360º city views.
BASE Milano is a unique venue in a converted locomotive factory. This hybrid cultural centre offers industrial-chic spaces that foster creativity and innovation, perfect for unconventional events and product launches. It's not a museum, not a theater, not just an aggregative space or a restaurant, not a traditional coworking, not a dance club, it's all these things together and much more.
Iconic sites for memorable experiences
Leonardo's Last Supper Museum - Cenacolo Vinciano
Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece The Last Supper occupies the whole north wall of the refectory of the Dominican monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie. This was the chamber where the friars met to eat, pray and meditate during their meals. Since September 1980 the Last Supper, together with the church and the Dominican monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie, have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as “a unique artistic achievement, of an exceptional universal value that transcends all historical contingencies”. It's possible to arrange private viewings for an exclusive and cultural experience.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is Italy's oldest shopping mall, beautifully embellished with mosaics and caryatids around windows and balconies. Taking a stroll in the Galleria is a way of entering the heart of the city, something the Milanese feel intensely: lingering and meeting people is definitely de rigueur in this splendid covered arcade linking the Duomo to Teatro alla Scala. It was designed as a porticoed passageway that immediately became a showcase for high-end shopkeepers, the place for a leisurely socializing walk and an aperitif or a relaxed dinner after the Opera. To invoke good luck, spin your heel 3 times around over the bull’s testicles in mosaic (representing the Turin coat of arms) on the floor of the gallery’s splendid central octagon.
Castello Sforzesco, the medieval fortress turned cultural hub was built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan, on the remnants of a 14th-century fortification. It offers event spaces with a historic backdrop, including courtyards and gardens, ideal for gala dinners, concerts, and themed events. For centuries the Milanese considered the castle to be an emblem of both tyranny and foreign domination and accordingly attempted to assault and demolish the reviled fortress on various occasions. Only after the unification of Italy and its conversion to a cultural centre did the castle truly become dear to the hearts of the Milanese and as such, a symbol of the city.
The Castello Sforzesco is located in the center of the city - just 10 mins from the Cathedral - which is rather unusual for such a big castle. The adjacent park - Parco Sempione - is dated 19th century and includes many historical buildings or design architecture like the Triennale Art Museum, Acquario Civico, Arena Civica and Torre Branca of Gio Ponti.
What else is there to know about Milan
- Design capital: Milan is a global design capital, hosting the prestigious Milan Design Week. The city's design district, Brera, is a hub of creativity and innovation.
- Fashion mecca: Milan is one of the "Big Four" fashion capitals, alongside Paris, London, and New York, also known for its yearly Fashion Week. The Quadrilatero della Moda is a must-visit for fashion enthusiasts.
- Leonardo's legacy: Apart from The Last Supper, Milan is home to numerous works by Leonardo da Vinci, including the Codex Atlanticus, housed in the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana.
- Innovation hub: Milan is a thriving business and financial center, home to the Italian Stock Exchange and numerous multinational corporations.
- Milan surroundings: Within an hour's drive, you can easily explore Lake Como, Lake Maggiore with the enchanting Borromean Islands, as well as the cities of Bergamo and Brescia. Both Bergamo and Brescia were honored with the title of Italian Capital of Culture in 2023, boasting rich histories and vibrant arts scenes.
Milan, with its blend of historical grandeur and modern flair, is the perfect canvas for your next corporate event. Its iconic sites and cultural richness showcasing Milan's multifaceted personality are sure to leave a lasting impression. Milan awaits, where every gathering becomes a masterpiece.