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Milan

Capital of the Lombardy region and Italy's second city, Milan is world-famous for its culture as expressed by its museums, art galleries and the opera. However, the city also boasts some fine creative industries such as furniture, fashion, and textile design and manufacture. Milan also has seven highly regarded universities and polytechnics. In a city of wonderful architecture, probably the most famous building seems very simple from the outside. The Teatro Alla Scala is situated at the end of Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II, and was built in 1778. Today it is the most famous opera house in the world, standing on the site of the ruins of the old Santa Maria della Scala church. A monument to Leonardo da Vinci stands nearby. Leonardo's most famous painting, "The Last Supper" graces a wall of the Gothic-style church of St Maria delle Grazie. Set in the central square, the Duomo dominates the area. It is Italy's largest and most intricate example of Gothic architecture, and took five centuries to complete (it was started in 1386). Adorned with over three thousand statues outside, colossal pillars and delicate stained-glass windows inside, the Duomo is a truly magnificent sight. Another famous side to Milan is its designer fashion - the most important designers are situated on Via Montenapoleone, Via Andrea, Via Gesu and Via della Spiga.