Milano
Currently in a corner of a coffee shop in Tirana, summer is ending, and I reminisce about Italian architecture. Maybe because its influence in my hometown is predominantly noticed. In Milan I’ll be walking and automatically find the resemblance between certain buildings such as to link my past to my present. I try to put together a novel experience and a familiar one. I find it interesting on how an architectural style can trigger my memories and make me feel good in a peculiar way that I can’t quite grasp. Milan to me is a vivid city. And I’ll start my description by mentioning a well-known piece of architecture, The Duomo cathedral, to make it known to my readers that each time I climb the metro stairs to come up in the city, it looks photoshopped in there, but in a good, fulfilling the panorama way. :)
I want to start with my undoubtedly favourite neighbourhood and continue blathering on about the old charm it carries. Brera is a versatile area. The streets have narrow, meandering lanes and this distinctive identity is influenced by the architecture of its colourful facades, tiny businesses, and pleasant cafes. As soon as you enter it, it makes you forget all about industrialist Milan. It carries the power to take you to a bourgeois portal that a part of us craves. It embodies a neoclassical architecture, especially with Palazzo di Brera structure. The Pinacoteca Di Brera, housed within, is not just an art gallery but a gateway to a magical outdoor garden, home to an array of fascinating flora and fauna. If you choose to have a drink, all it takes is climbing a few stairs and enjoying the amazing view of this charming art museum.
Somehow, I like Brera more at night. It is the perfect place for a date or a meeting with friends whilst enjoying an impressive Italian aperitivo. There are also many fortune tellers across the streets of Brera, that can add a dash of mystique to your night out. It is a place where the past and modern coexist peacefully, making it a well-liked vacation spot for those interested in art, history, and Milan's architectural treasures.
Up for a night of delight and entertainment? The city of Milan is home to a thriving and quickly developing district, Isola. It is located just north of the city centre and it is one of Milan's trendiest and most vibrant neighbourhoods. Even though my peers would tell you that Navigli is the place to go out and about it’s not the case for me. (I won’t even include it in my piece). Anyways… Isola features a variety of architectural designs, from classic Milanese structures to contemporary constructions. The neighborhood's combination of old and new, with historical structures coexisting with modern residential complexes and office buildings, is one of its distinguishing characteristics. What I most like about the area is the diverse culinary scene. Here you can find both traditional Italian cuisine and international fare. For fashion lovers, each Saturday morning there are thrift shops all around the streets. You can find cool pieces there.
I relate to Isola so much. Because we’re both a work in progress, while blending our traditional values with a contemporary scenery.
I will finish my relatively short text about the metropolitan with a building that I had a first-love type of encounter. It lies in the center of Milan, amidst the city's glass and steel tapestry, an example of how architecture and nature can coexist together. Bosco Verticale, or the "Vertical Forest," is a breath-taking union of human inventiveness and ecological sensitivity that appears like an oasis inside the concrete jungle. The use of lush vegetation on the façade of the buildings, as the name implies, is the most distinguishing aspect of this style. Trees, bushes, and flowering plants are among the many different types of vegetation that cover the towers. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, this vegetation also serves a number of useful functions. The idea incorporates nature into heavily populated urban areas, which is in line with sustainability principles. It shows how cities can include green spaces to lessen their environmental impact. Bosco Verticale has been an inspiration to this new era of architecture in more than a way. There’s also a park nearby. I usually like to go there alone and listen to music while journaling. When it’s sunny and I see all these happy families having a great time, I can understand how we should bring more of nature into our every day lives. Having a connection to nature is a crucial point we have to improve in our society.
As I conclude my tour of Milan's architectural wonders, I am reminded that these structures are more than simply concrete and glass; they are vessels of memories, dreams, and the eternal spirit of a city that survives on both tradition and innovation.
I continue to sip my coffee and think about the world of Italian architecture, knowing that Milan's ageless appeal will always pull me back for more experiences in its architectural paradise. Until the next time,( a fey days) Milano.