Page 40 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Milan & The Lakes

38  INTRODUCING MILAN

MILAN THROUGH THE YEAR

Milan offers a range of different events and night at La Scala, the world-famous opera
attractions during different seasons of the house. Such traditional and characteristic
year, from traditional to commercial. The festivities alternate with other events that
city’s citizens are still attached to traditional are perhaps more in keeping with the image
religious celebrations such as the Carnevale of a modern, industrial city. Among these
Ambrosiano (Milanese Carnival) and the are Fashion Week, one of the world’s top
festivities that take place around 7 December, fashion shows, held twice a year, and SMAU,
the Festival of Sant’Ambrogio, the city’s an important international multimedia and
patron saint. This is also the date of opening communications technology trade show.

March MIA Photo Fair (late Apr–early
Cartoomics (three days mid- May). Entirely dedicated to
Mar). Fieramilanocity, an photography, this fair sees
event for fans of comics and events and conferences with
animation, also features areas key figures from the Italian
dedicated to science fiction and international art scene.
and the Star Wars films. It has
plenty of activities for kids. May
Oggi Aperto (third weekend). Milano Cortili Aperti.
Monuments and historic The courtyards of the city’s
buildings that are usually private residences are open
closed to the public are to the public.
opened up for the weekend. Pittori sul Naviglio. Outdoor
Stramilano (end Mar). This art display along the Alzaia
celebrated marathon is for Naviglio Grande canal (see p91).
professionals and amateurs Estate all’Idroscalo. Near Linate
alike and attracts an average airport, the Milan seaplane
Private courtyards in Milan, open to the of 50,000 competitors airport inaugurates its summer
public in the spring every year. season with sports events, water
entertainment and concerts.
April Sagra del Carroccio. At Legnano,
Spring Fiera dei Fiori (Mon after Easter). 30 km (19 miles) from Milan,
After the long Milanese In and around Via Moscova, near there is a commemoration of
winter, local inhabitants the Sant’Angelo Franciscan the battle of 1176, when the
welcome the arrival of spring convent, is this fair devoted Lombard League defeated
with a sigh of relief. The mainly to flower growing. Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.
pleasant spring breezes clear Barclays Milano City Marathon There are costume parades,
the air of the notorious (early Apr). This relay marathon folk festivities and events.
Milanese smog and the city for teams of four runners starts Orticola Flower growing and
seems to take on different at Fiera di Rho, takes in many garden furnishings show and
colours. On very clear days, of the city’s famous sights, market in the Porta Venezia
if you look northwards you and ends at Piazza Castello. Giardini Pubblici (see p122).
will see the peaks of the Alps,
which are still covered with
snow – one of the finest
views the city affords at this
time of year.
Towards the end of spring,
the clear weather may very
well give way to showers and
even violent storms, which may
blow up in the space of just a
few hours, causing problems
with city traffic.
This is the season when
tourist activity resumes at the
lakes. Boat services start up
again and the water becomes
a major weekend attraction
for the Milanese once more. Well-stocked comic stand at Cartoomics

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