The Brera Gallery was officially established in 1809, even though a first heterogeneous collection with educational purpose existed already from 1776 – and then increased in the following years – alongside the Accademia di Belle Arti, requested by Mary Therese of Austria to offer the students the opportunity to study lofty masterpieces of art close up. Brera become a museum to host the most important works of art from all of the areas conquered by the French armies. So unlike other important museums in Italy such as the Uffizi, Brera did not start out life as the private collection of a prince or nobleman but as the product of a deliberate policy decision. Paintings confiscated from churches and convents throughout Lombardy with the religious orders’ dissolution began to pour into the museum in the early years of the 19th century, soon to be joined by artworks of similar provenance from other areas of the Kingdom of Italy. This explains why the collection comprises chiefly religious works, many of them large altarpieces, and accounts for Brera’s special aura on which later acquisitions have had only a minor impact.

I consider e/c natural wine shop a hidden treasure in Milan. Inside a building with an "Emergency" (that is actually an ONG) plaque outside, the first thing one might think is that is a hospital. Once passing the wall, there's a cute internal square, with Basilica di Sant'Eustorgio view. You can sit both inside or outside, which a strongly recommend for spring and summer days. A nice place for just passing by to grab a bottle of wine and drink it at home, having a glass of wine (they have many options) or enjoying a relaxed evening.

To really reach/understand a city you must live there or, at least, acting like you do. Nothing makes you feel more like a Milanese D.O.C. than stopping by Frida's on a Sunday morning to buy some flowers. Located in Brera this tiny shop has an extraordinary colour palette of flowers and plants. After that we just take a walk in the neighbourhood holding our bunch of Brassica Oleracea and our day is made.

Rotating modern art exhibitions in a complex of. beautifully design/renovated buildings, designed by Rem Koolhaas. Also has a great cafe and restaurant.

Home of the negroni sbagliato. God fun for an aperitivo served in a gigantic glass, especially popular during Salone del Mobile.