Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a grand 19th-century glass-and-iron shopping arcade connecting Milan's Duomo to La Scala opera house, often cited as one of the world's oldest shopping malls. Its soaring iron-and-glass ceiling and mosaic floors, including one depicting the coat of arms of Turin's House of Savoy, make it as much an architectural attraction as a place to shop.
Local tradition holds that spinning a heel on the mosaic bull's testicles at the crossing of the arcade brings good luck, a superstition still practiced by visitors and locals alike.
It's home to some of Milan's most expensive shops and cafes, so it's more a place to admire the architecture and people-watch than to shop on a budget.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II FAQs
Yes, it's a public passage, free to enter and walk through at any time.
Spinning on your heel on the mosaic bull's genitals at the arcade's central crossing is a local tradition believed to bring good luck.
Yes, the shops and cafes inside are among Milan's priciest, reflecting the location.
10-20 minutes to walk through and admire the architecture.
Yes, it links the Duomo directly to Piazza della Scala and the La Scala opera house.
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