About Milan


Milan is not only one of the most beautiful Italian cities but it is also considered the Italian economic and finance center, with the headquarter of the Stock Exchange and of many of the most important industrial and financial businesses of Italy, having a population of 1.3 million.


It is also the Italian symbol of fashion and design: it hosts many of the main Italian fashion maisons and international design fairs, such as " Settimana della Moda" (Milan Fashion Week) and the "Salone Internazionale del Mobile" (Milan Furniture Fair).


Milan is rich of universities, research institutions, and art schools that attract students from around the world.


The city offers to visitors the possibility to admire a wide range of monuments, museums and buildings reflecting the vestiges of history and culture left by the people who lived here.


The origin of Milan is to be traced back to the early part of the 4th century B.C. and a first settlement of Insubric Gauls. The name of the settlement, later Latinised to Mediolanum, indicated the central position of the site (middle place).


There are ancient Roman remains in the Milan area. Further, the Duomo is one of the largest cathedrals in the world and an important example of Gothic architecture in Italy. Less than 2 km. away from the Cathedral is the Sforzesco Castle which is impressive not only with its spirit and architecture but also with its hosting Michelangelo's Pieta Rondanini. Another 'must visit' is the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie where is the 'Last Supper' masterpiece of Leonardo da Vinci. Finally, Milan impresses as well by its academic spirit featured by several prestigious universities, such as Politecnico di Milano, founded in 1863, which is very close to the symposium venue. Many important scientists and architects studied and taught at Politecnico, among them Achille Castiglioni, Gio Ponti, Renzo Piano and Aldo Rossi, both Pritzker Prize winners in 1990 and 1998 respectively, and Giulio Natta, Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry (in 1963). Politecnico takes part in research and training projects collaborating with the most prestigious European universities and currently Politecnico's contribution is increasingly being extended to other other countries, spanning from North America through South-East Asia to Eastern Europe.