2019-2020 Christmas Cruise - Andalusia: Day 2 Genoa

Instead of exploring the commercial capital of Italy and hometown of  Christopher Columbus, Greg, Jeff, Mark and I boarded a bus at 8:15 this morning for a two hour ride from Genoa  to Milan. Initially, we’d hoped to score tickets to see Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper. The painting is in the refractory in the Dominican convent of Santa Marie della Grazie. I got up in the middle of the night on the morning tickets went on sale for the day of our visit, but they were gone within 5 minutes so that was a bust. We weren’t sure if we’d ever be near Milan again, so decided to go visit the city anyway. 

Dawn over Genoa harbor

First stop in Milan was the Castello Sforzesco, a 15th century ducal palace that today houses several museum collections. 

Santa has come and gone but the elves are already working for next Christmas

Michelangelo’s last sculpture stands alone in the old Ospedale Spagnola (Spanish Hospital) in a corner of the castle. The unfinished statue, known as the Pietà Rondanini, was acquired by the city of Milan in 1952. Found in Michelangelo’s studio after his death in 1564, it effectively disappeared into anonymity until being definitively identified in 1807. 

Michelangelo had worked on the piece for over a decade before his death. Signs of an earlier attempt remain in an unattached arm or leg. His final version depicts Mary standing and supporting the dead body of her son. 

We walked down a wide pedestrian street to the Piazzo del Duomo. As Greg speculated, the Saturday between Christmas and New Years may have been the worst day in the year to visit. The square was mobbed, as were adjacent streets. 

The lines to enter the cathedral were long, as were those to climb or take a lift to the rooftop. So we weren’t able to explore the duomo in depth. We waited in another long line to sample several take out savory and sweet items from Panificio Luini and sat on a curb to share them, giving the flaky crumbs to pigeons. 

The fashion capital of Europe, Milan must be stunning at night. 

Fur boots and Mickey Mouse earmuffs adorn the well-appointed Milanese.

We passed through the Galleria Victor Emanuel II, a four-story elegant arcade lined with expensive designer shops and luxury cafes. 

We did a quick detour past La Scala on our way back to meet the bus. The exterior of the famous opera house was surprisingly understated. 

Posters showed an ornate interior, but we had no time for a tour. We were allotted only 3 hours in Milan. 

We got back to the Grandiosa shortly before sunset, so Jeff and I headed up to the top to catch a final view of Genoa in the good light.