Page 123 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Milan & The Lakes

NOR THEAST MILAN  121

The Stazione Centrale, with its spectacular iron and glass roof
is the result of a massive reno- in the world until the 1960s. u Stazione Centrale
vation project to redevelop the The slender, elegant edifice Piazzale Duca d’Aosta. Map 4 F1.
area. As a space devoted to the occupies only 1,000 sq m q 2, 3 Centrale. v 5, 9. @ 42, 60,
production, exhibition and (1,200 sq yds) and stands on 81, 87, 90, 91, 92.
promotion of contemporary the site where, in 1872, Giovan
art, it offers some of the best Battista Pirelli built his first tyre Milan’s main railway station
cultural programmes in Milan, factory. The skyscraper was is one of the largest and perhaps
including activities for kids. constructed as the Pirelli the most monumental in
Just beyond the entrance, company’s main offices. Europe. Ulisse Stacchini’s project
visitors are welcomed by Among the many records design was approved and ready
Fausto Melotti’s La sequenza established by the “Pirellone” in 1912, but construction work
(1981), a site-specific installation was that it was the first proved so slow that the building
made of steel floating in a building in Milan taller than was not opened until 1931. The
bed of ornamental grasses the Madonnina on the Duomo new railway station replaced
and wild flowers designed (108.50 m, 356 ft). As a token one located in present-day
by the Milan-based architect of respect, a small statue of Piazza della Repubblica.
Marco Bay. Inside there is the Virgin Mary was placed The building is dressed in
another site-specific master- on the Pirelli roof. Since 1979 Aurisina stone, and was clearly
piece: Anselm Kiefer’s The Seven the building has been the inspired by the late Art Nouveau
Heavenly Palaces. Created in headquarters of the regional style in vogue in the early 20th
2004, it is considered one of the government of Lombardy. century, in marked contrast with
most important works by this Next door is the luxurious the austere 1930s architecture
German artist. Excelsior Hotel Gallia, opened of the surrounding buildings.
in the 1930s. The façade is 207 m (679 ft)
wide and 36 m (118 ft) tall and
y Pirelli Building is crowned by two winged
horses. The large arcades link
Piazzale Duca d’Aosta-Via Pirelli.
Map 4 E1. q 2, 3 Centrale. v 2, 9, up with the Galleria dei Transiti,
33. @ 60, 82. Closed to the public. a gallery decorated with four
medallions by Giannino
The symbol of postwar Castiglioni representing Labour,
reconstruction in Milan, the Commerce, Science and
Pirelli Building, affectionately Agriculture. In the large ticket
called “Pirellone” (big Pirelli) office hall, flights of steps lead
by the Milanese, was built in up to the huge departures and
1955–60. It was designed by a arrivals lobby, with tile panels
group of leading architects and representing the cities of Milan,
engineers: Giò Ponti, Antonio Rome, Turin and Florence.
Fornaroli, Alberto Rosselli, The massive building is
Giuseppe Valtolina, Egidio a landmark in Milan and
Dell’Orto, Pier Luigi Nervi and second only to the cathedral
Arturo Danusso. At 127 m in size. There are numerous
(417 ft) high, it was the largest The Pirelli Building, symbol of Milan’s shops inside, and some are
reinforced concrete skyscraper postwar reconstruction open 24 hours a day.

120-121_EW_Milan.indd 121 20/10/16 3:16 pm