Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan, Italy

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is Italy's oldest active shopping mall and a major landmark of Milan. Housed within a four-story double arcade in the center of town, the Galleria is named after Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of the Kingdom of Italy. It was designed in 1861 and built by architect Giuseppe Mengoni between 1865 and 1877.

The structure consists of two glass-vaulted arcades intersecting in an octagon covering the street connecting Piazza del Duomo to Piazza della Scala. The street is covered by an arching glass and cast iron roof, a popular design for 19th-century arcades.

The central octagonal space is topped with a glass dome. The Milanese Galleria was larger in scale than its predecessors and was an important step in the evolution of the modern glazed and enclosed shopping mall, of which it was the direct progenitor. It has inspired the use of the term galleria for many other shopping arcades and malls.

On the ground of the central octagonal, there are four mosaics portraying the coat of arms of the three capitals of the Kingdom of Italy (Turin, Florence and Rome) plus Milan's. Tradition says that if a person spins around three times with a heel on the testicles of the bull from Turin coat of arms this will bring good luck. This practice causes damage to the mosaic: a hole developed on the place of the bull's genitals.

The arcade principally contains luxury retailers selling haute couture, jewelry, books and paintings, as well as restaurants, cafés, bars, and a hotel, the Town House Galleria. The Galleria is famous for being home to some of the oldest shops and restaurants in Milan, such as Biffi Caffè (founded in 1867 by Paolo Biffi, pastry chef to the monarch), the Savini restaurant and the Art Nouveau classic Camparino.

References:

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User Reviews

Nabeel Paroya (2 months ago)
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele truly left me in awe. Walking through its stunning glass-domed corridors, I couldn’t help but feel like I’d stepped into another era. The mosaics on the floor and the intricate details in the ceiling were simply captivating—I found myself pausing just to take it all in. What I loved most wasn’t just the luxury shops or the beautiful design, but the whole vibe of the place. It felt so alive, with people enjoying coffee, snapping photos, or just wandering like me. Yes, it can get crowded, but honestly, that just adds to the charm. It’s not just a place to shop—it’s an experience I’ll always remember. If you’re in Milan, this is a spot you don’t want to miss.

Kye Tay (3 months ago)
The architecture is breathtaking. Very cool and detailed work, high ceiling. You may find all the luxury brands along the shopping street. Most of the shop closes at 8-8:30pm during autumn season.

Dimo (3 months ago)
Of course, words cannot describe all the extraordinary beauty that is the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. From a practical point of view, if you decide to have a snack while shopping, then do not hesitate and go to any of the restaurants located there. The price/quality ratio will pleasantly surprise you in such a prestigious place. The service awaits you at the highest level. You can have a magnificent dinner from only 40 euros.

Zack Eckley (4 months ago)
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is truly a sight to behold! The architecture is breathtaking, with its soaring glass ceiling and intricate details. It's a shopper's paradise, too, with a fantastic selection of high-end fashion brands. Even if you're not in the mood to spend, it's worth a visit just to admire the stunning architecture and soak up the atmosphere. Don't forget to find the mosaic bull and give its "lucky" testicles a spin!

Yu-Ting (4 months ago)
***First Class Shopping*** The surroundings are beautiful and they have all of the newest items displayed creatively. If you enjoy luxury brands, this is a must visit. If you enjoy taking photos of beautiful buildings this place also ranks high on the scale.

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