Milan

Milan is the capital of the Lombardy region in northern Italy and one of the country’s leading economic, cultural, and financial centers. The city has an estimated population of about 1,354,100 inhabitants (2026 estimate). Located in the Po Valley, Milan has played a major role in Italian and European history for more than two millennia. Originally founded by the Celtic Insubres and later conquered by the Romans in the 2nd century BCE, it became the Roman city of Mediolanum and served as an imperial residence in late antiquity. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, Milan flourished under powerful ruling families such as the Visconti and the Sforza, becoming an important center of art, commerce, and political influence.

Milan is renowned for its architectural landmarks, including the Milan Cathedral, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in the world, and the Sforza Castle. The city is also internationally recognized as a global capital of fashion and design. Among the notable figures associated with Milan are the painter Caravaggio and the businessman and politician Silvio Berlusconi.