To speak of Via Montenapoleone in Milan is to allude to a lot of luxury and exclusive and premium brands such as Versace, Armani, Valentino, Gucci, Prada, Rolex, Dior, etc. It’s the street with the most elegant and exclusive shop windows in the capital of Lombardy and the place to be for those in search of unique shops, jewellers with ridiculous prices, and prêt-a-porter shops. It is, of course, one of the most expensive urban streets per square metre in the world. So watch out for the wealthy, because this is the place to go shopping in Milan.
That said, even if you’ve not got much to spend, it’s a good idea to take some time during your sightseeing trip to Milan to stroll around this exclusive area known as the “Golden Quadrilateral” (Quadrilatero della Moda), as it also shares super-luxury shops with three other streets: Via Manzoni, Via Venezia, and Via della Spiga. If you love fashion and consider yourself a fashion victim, you’re sure to enjoy browsing the latest trends in clothing, bags, shoes, and jewellery.
Via Montenapoleone’s long history
Despite its glamorous and chic façade, Via Montenapoleone also has a long history, and it’s located just a stone’s throw from the Teatro alla Scala (internal link) and the Poldi Pezzoli Museum.
First of all, where does its name originate from? It was given this name because on Napoleon‘s initiative a large bank was set up in this street to manage the public debt. And when the Austrians took over Milan, they didn’t change the name of the street, and it has remained the same ever since. The Milanese rebelled against the Austrians and the rebels’ checkpoint was on this street. That’s why you’ll find two plaques commemorating the Milanese insurrection.
You also have to go back much further in history to discover the origins of this street. In fact, the layout of Via Montenapoleone follows the same path as the wall built by the Romans in the 2nd century AD.
What to see: Unique buildings on Via Montenapoleone
There are many unique buildings on the Via Montenapoleone, but of them all, we recommend that you take a look at least four.
- At number 1 on Via Montenapoleone the notary and poet Tommaso Grossi lived and died.
- At number 2 is Palazzo Taverna, which currently belongs to the Armani Fashion House, although it was once the residence and place where Carlo Porta died, one of Milan’s most famous writers. It was also here that King Vittorio Emanuele II inaugurated the first headquarters of the Italian Automobile Club.
- At number 12 Via Montenapoleone is Palazzo Marliani, which once housed the bank that managed the public debt and is now owned by the Dior Fashion House. It’s one of the most luxurious residences in Milan. It was restored by the architect Giuseppe Piermarini and completely rebuilt in the 20th century by Balossi to house the Royal Insurance Company. His work wasn’t very appreciated, and the Milanese used the slang term “baloss”, meaning “scoundrel”, referring to the last architect to work on the building.
- And at number 23 on Via Montenapoleone, approaching Via Manzoni, we come across the plaques dedicated to The Five Days of Milan, when the citizens of Milan revolted against the Austrians. This building was also the seat of the Church of San Francesco di Paola and, in the 19th century, there was a convent with an enormous organ in which it appears that Giuseppe Verdi, created his brilliant “Nabucco”. The composer lived in a nearby hotel.
In fact, Via Montenapoleone came to prominence in the city in the 18th century, when Milan’s wealthiest families began to settle nearby. It’s now an iconic area, especially for designers, as since the 1950s the big fashion houses have been present here and transformed the area into a shopping area.
Milan’s Via Montenapoleone, like Rome’s Via Condotti, is a street that breathes fashion, making it a haven for those who choose Milan as a shopping destination. This is one of the most exclusive shopping areas, but don’t miss out on other places either, such as the iconic glass-enclosed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (internal link).
So, if only to see passers-by sporting spectacular designer suits or catwalk-worthy dresses, it’s well worth taking a stroll along Via Montenapoleone. Don’t forget that Milan is the fashion capital of Europe.
Useful information
How to get to Via Montenapoleone:
- On foot. From Piazza del Duomo you can walk here in around ten minutes. Pass through Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, Via San Pietro all’Orto, and Via Pietro Verri.
- By underground. Metro lines 1 and 3 are within walking distance of Via Montenapoleone.
