Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
The Vittorio Emanuele gallery is an ensemble of a covered four-story double arcade, formed of two vaulted glass arcades disposed at right angles, intersecting an octagon. The structure is sited on the north side of the Piazza del Duomo, the Cathedral Square in Milan, Italy. The entrance is a triumphant arch and the gallery connects the Cathedral Square to the Piazza della Scala. The gallery created in this space is named after Vittorio Emanuele II, first king of united Italy. It was built in the second half of the 19th century.
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The roof constructed from arching glass and cast iron represents a popular design for 19th century arcades, and counts among famous examples such as the Burlington Arcade in London, the St. Hubert gallery in Brussels or the Passazh in St. Petersburg.
The central octagonal space is surmounted by a dominating and majestic glass dome. The Milan gallery, with its shops and coffee houses, can be considered as a precursor or a significant step in the evolution of the modern, glazed shopping mall. It has inspired the use of the term "Galleria" or gallery for today's malls and shopping arcades.
Furthermore, the Milannese gallery connects two famous landmarks, the Cathedral and the Teatro Alla Scala.
The Galleria is a significant meeting and dining place, which renders it "Milan's drawing room".
The arcade houses elegant shops of haute couture, jewelry, books, paintings, as well as cafes, restaurants and bars, among them famous and historic establishments such as the Biffi Caffe, the sophisticated Savini restaurant, the Art Nouveau classic Zucca's bar. The Town House Galleria hotel, offering the city's most luxurious accommodation and facilities, is directly connected to the Vittorio Emanuele II gallery.
Among the fashionable shops housed in the arcade we mention Prada, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and many more.
The gallery is a spectacle, especially in the evening or at Christmas, with its Renaissance and Baroque buildings with frescoes on top of their facades, supporting the magically lit glass dome. Visitors are welcomed here to enjoy its delightful architecture as well the worldly and fashionable rush on its mosaic floor.
