Milan also has its cultural treasures, including the great Gothic cathedral (the third largest church in Europe) and numerous other old churches including the Romanesque Sant’ Ambrogio and Santa Maria della Grazie with Leonardo da Vinci’s painting of ‘The Last Supper’. Great stone palazzi house some of the world’s great collections of painting: the Brera Museum, Poldi Pezzoli Museum (on Via Manzoni) and Pinoteca Ambrosiana. Two hundred private galleries show the works of contemporary European and American artists.
It is difficult to obtain theatre seats unless one is actually in Milan. Theatrical performances, including opera at La Scala, are often rescheduled at short notice; some information is usually published in the daily Corriere Della Sera and information is also available from the Milan Tourist Office in Piazza del Duomo (next to the Cathedral) and from the Cultural Office in the Galleria, off Piazza della Scala. The local Tourist Board issues a free guide, Tutta Milano, printed in several languages including English, which gives information about public services, banks, hotels, restaurants, tourism, interpreter services etc.
There is often serious traffic congestion, particularly during the morning and evening rush hours. There are bans on traffic from time to time to help combat pollution which frequently reaches dangerous levels. Taxis are available and Milan has a very efficient metro system.
