Tradition has it that when Pope Pius IV’s envoy arrived in Milan in 1510, children shouted with joy at the sight of the gifts he’d brought. Cries of ‘Oh Beautiful! Oh Beautiful!‘ – in the local Milanese dialect – are said to have rung out.

It’s a story recalled today in the name of one of Milan’s largest and oldest Christmas markets, but it’s a phrase that applies just as well to so much else about this lovely city. Oh Bej! Oh Bej, Milano!

 

Christmas markets at the Duomo
Christmas markets at the Duomo
And Milan's Christmas tree in the main square
And Milan's Christmas tree in the main square
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
The entrance in the evening light
The entrance in the evening light
And the sparkling interior
And the sparkling interior
We bought some delicious Gorgonzola from this man
We bought some delicious Gorgonzola from this man
And liked the look of the vodka and caviar too (the plastic pistol was an interesting idea)
And liked the look of the vodka and caviar too (the plastic pistol was an interesting idea)
And these (almost life-size) chocolate shoes and handbags
And these (almost life-size) chocolate shoes and handbags
We continue to be impressed with the architecture here
We continue to be impressed with the architecture here
The city's buildings reflect its long and diverse history
The city's buildings reflect its long and diverse history
Here's Sforza Castle again; it dates from the 15th century (and makes a good background for a pic)
Here's Sforza Castle again; it dates from the 15th century (and makes a good background for a pic)
Much more recent is the wonderful Palazzo e Torre Rasini
Much more recent is the wonderful Palazzo e Torre Rasini
Completed in 1935, it's the work of architects Emilio Lancia and Gio Ponti
Completed in 1935, it's the work of architects Emilio Lancia and Gio Ponti
And then there's Palazzo Lombardia, the seat of government for the Region
And then there's Palazzo Lombardia, the seat of government for the Region
Parco Sempione is the large open space in the centre of the city
Parco Sempione is the large open space in the centre of the city
Beautiful on any day
Beautiful on any day
Milan is great in winter
Milan is great in winter
Not least because roasted chestnuts can be bought on almost every corner
Not least because roasted chestnuts can be bought on almost every corner
Unsurprisingly there are a number of important churches in the city; this is the dome of Santa Maria delle Grazie
Unsurprisingly there are a number of important churches in the city; this is the dome of Santa Maria delle Grazie
The church was completed in 1497
The church was completed in 1497
At that time a Dominican monastery existed on the site too
At that time a Dominican monastery existed on the site too
And it was there, in the refectory, that da Vinci produced his masterpiece 'The Last Supper' (Cenacolo Vinciano 1495-1497)
And it was there, in the refectory, that da Vinci produced his masterpiece 'The Last Supper' (Cenacolo Vinciano 1495-1497)
San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore is another beautiful church
San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore is another beautiful church
It's filled with magnificent frescoes
It's filled with magnificent frescoes
Milan has attracted many great artists through the years; this shot is from the terrific Maria Callas exhibition at La Scala
Milan has attracted many great artists through the years; this shot is from the terrific Maria Callas exhibition at La Scala
The city has some of the best-dressed law enforcement officers we've ever seen; including these members of the Carabinieri Cavalry Regiment
The city has some of the best-dressed law enforcement officers we've ever seen; including these members of the Carabinieri Cavalry Regiment
And here's the Milanese photo-bomber; this lovely man popped in for a photo with Greg. Ciao - for now - beautiful Milano!
And here's the Milanese photo-bomber; this lovely man popped in for a photo with Greg. Ciao - for now - beautiful Milano!