Desolate Streets of Milan
Usually a hive of activity and packed with tourists, Milan’s Piazza del Duomo is eerily quiet. Its usual bustling cafes and shops are closed, and train stations look like ghost towns as a coronavirus outbreak stretches across Italy.
It’s hard to believe that in a few months, a massive outbreak of a deadly coronavirus will have left Milan looking like something out of an episode of the Twilight Zone. But that’s what happened to the city on Monday night as Lombardy, Italy’s fashion and financial capital, imposed an 11pm curfew to try to contain the epidemic which has killed at least 12 people.
The city’s streets and piazzas were deserted again as the new rules took effect, causing panic for many of those who still work there. They were afraid that their co-workers could spread the virus to them.
The Desolate Streets of Milan: A City Devoid of Life
This outbreak is only the latest in a long series of calamities that have plagued the city. It was once a thriving industrial centre, but its inhabitants have suffered from a number of social problems over the centuries.
In the Middle Ages, Milan was a powerful city-state that fought against the surrounding feudal powers in order to limit their power. The city state also became a major player in the Italian Wars, a series of conflicts that included many other European cities.
During this time, the city’s population was divided into a rich, working class and a poor, peasantry. This division was often exploited by the city’s nobles to gain control of the city, and this led to a great deal of strife in Milan.
On the other hand, it is also known for its strong Catholic roots and as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Its rich architecture is a testament to this, and the Duomo cathedral, dating back to the 1300s, is an architectural masterpiece.
The Cathedral, with its spectacular roof terrace, is well worth a visit during your stay in Milan. It’s one of the few Gothic churches in Europe that can be seen from above.
It is also a very popular tourist attraction, especially for visitors interested in art and architecture. It is located in the center of the city and features a variety of artworks, including paintings by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael.
Another of the most striking landmarks in the city is Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, an elegant shopping area that runs along a stretch of the Duomo. It is home to many famous brands such as Bershka, H&M and Zara.
There are also several interesting museums to explore in the area such as La Scala, the Teatro alla Scala and the Museo del Novecento. Lastly, there is the Mercato Centrale where you can find all sorts of food and other goods.
The emergence of the fascist party in Italy led to a huge increase in violence and strikes in Milan. It also led to the suppression of a number of worker’s committees and anti-fascist groups.
