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This past May 5h, Thai Airways began scheduled flights to Milan in northern Italy, and every since the e-mail has been pouring in. The Number One question asked is why Milan?
Mr. Kanok Abhiradee, THAI's President, had earlier announced that the launch of the new Bangkok-Milan route serves to mark the 44th anniversary of THAI, as well as support the government's aim to promote Bangkok as a Fashion City.
With Milan recognized as one of Europe’s leading fashion centres, the connection is understandable. A third reason is that THAI is the first Asian carrier to offer a direct connection from Milan to Southeast Asia, making it easier for tourists to visit Thailand.
At the same time, of course, the new route will give Thai tourists, and visitors coming from Bangkok, a greater access to the tourist destinations in the northern Italy and along the Italian/Swiss border.
THAI’s inaugural flight gave Thailand's Ministry of Industry the opportunity to introduce Thailand’s fashions to Europe. The Thai government received the full support of THAI by organizing a reception that was held at the Palazzo Mezzanotte in Milan on Thursday, 20 May 2004. The reception highlighted a fashion show by four leading Thai designers, namely Nagara for Jim Thompson, Pichita (using fabrics from the SUPPORT Foundation, Mae Fah Luang (using fabrics from the Mae Fah Luang Foundation) and Pasaya, presenting approximately 48 designs. Four of Thailand’s top models made the presentation.
The party may be over and the Thai models may have gone home but the show continues. The attractions for visitors from Bangkok go far beyond seeking out the fashion world. Milan has a world of discoveries for the visitor. Among these leading tourist attractions are Milan's Duomo, the fourth largest cathedral in the world, and Leonardo da Vinci's painting "The Last Supper.” If for no other reasons, to see da Vinci’s famous painting, is worth the trip to Milan.
The underlying fact is Milan is all about worldly pleasures. Aside from the cathedral and The Last Supper, shopping is of almost religious significance, and here in the art city of the north, theatre and cinema flourish. But what would Italy be with its Italian cuisine. Famous Italian restaurants almost outnumber the art museums and art galleries. In Milan it's the lifestyle that counts.
Fortunately, although Milan is a sprawling metropolis, most of its attractions are concentrated in the city centre, between the Duomo Cathedral and the Castello Sforzesco. The Duomo is the best place to begin exploring the city and is within strolling distance of dozens of historic sites. Incidentally, the city's efficient underground railway, the Metropolitana Milanesa (MM) has a stop here.
As I mentioned, Milan's Duomo is the world's fourth-largest church. The late-Gothic wonder features a forest of spires and statuary, marble pinnacles and pillars, all woven together with a web of flying buttresses. Above the altar is a nail that is said to have come from Christ's cross. The view from the roof is the city's finest.
Every September, the Archbishop of Milan retrieves the sacred nail from its perch high above the nave and presents it to an adoring (or at least curious) congregation.
One must not miss Castello Sforzesco, located at the northeastern end of the lovely Via Dante, and which intersects the Piazza del Duomo. Originally a military fortress, it was completely remodelled by more comfort-minded Francesco Sforza. The new and improved defenses were designed by Leonardo da Vinci.
The castle houses a collection of modern museums that are well stocked with impressive antiquities. The excellent sculpture collection includes Michelangelo's Pietá Rondanini. There are also paintings by Bellini, Tiepolo, Mantegna, Correggio, Titian and Van Dyck.
Then there is the refectory of the Convento di Santa Maria delle Grazie, where we find Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper. A visit to the refectory is a must for anyone who visits Milan.
Leonardo da Vinci was already a well-known artist when he created his masterpiece. He painted it on the wall of the rectory, and it took him four years to complete, from 1495 to 1498. But why paint it on a wall of a refectory?
A refectory is a hall where monks and nuns take their meals. Traditionally, the brothers and sisters were supposed to talk as little as possible during their repasts, and so it was very common to give them inspirational art to contemplate as they chewed. What better subject for a refectory than the most famous meal in the Bible?
As all artists do, da Vinci was trying to convey an impression and message, and took "artistic license" with his source material other than from the Bible. Missing from the painting is the chalice from which Christ drank and passed around to his disciples. Also the Bible tells us the meal was at night. The painting depicts the scene during day light hours. And nowhere in the Bible does it say that Mary Magdalene was at the Last Supper. A Vinci placed her at the right hand side of Christ.
Nevertheless, the Last Supper is a masterpiece which has been restored several times. Da Vinci painted it in an experimental mix of tempera and oil. The paint has been steadily peeling from the walls of this convent since 1498. The most recent restoration was in 1999. It was unveiled after years and years during which the public was not allowed to see it Along with Michelangelo's David, this is undoubtedly one of the most famous art works in Italy.
It isn't convenient to visit The Last Supper, but it is well worth the effort. The front doors close at 6pm, and visiting hours are Tuesday-Sunday 8:15 a.m.-6:45 p.m. Advance reservations are absolutely mandatory. Only twenty people can visit the artwork at a time, for a maximum of fifteen minutes.
There is one other site visitor should see—the Teatro alla Scala. La Scala, as it’s known around the world, is Milan's famous and fabulous opera house. It first raised its curtain in 1778. Practically destroyed during WWII, it was rebuilt and reopened in 1946 under the baton of Arturo Toscanini, who returned from New York after a 15-year absence. The adjoining Museo Teatrale alla Scala boasts such curiosities as Verdi's death mask.
With all there is to see and do in Milan, many visitors find that just strolling through the street is enough to satisfy anyone. Milan is truly a great city, and we can be thankful that THAI added it to their list of destinations, making it the airline’s 62nd destination. No bad for 44 years of continuous service.
For any questions you might have, I will try to answer them the best I can. You can contact me at the e-mail address below.
Harold Stephens
Bangkok
e-mail: booking@inet.co.th
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Milan glittering at night
The women of Milan
The clock tower and fountain in Milan
Fresh seafood market
Bakeries in Milan are the best in Italy
All weather shopping under a glass ceiling
Statues and fountains are everywhere in the city
Milan art galleries number in the hundreds
The streets of Milan are made for strolling
A must in Milan, Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper
Models and guests at the THAI inaugural party in Milan
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