Galleria Vittorio in Milan: The First Mall In The World

History of the World's First Shopping Mall

Connecting two of Milan’s most famous locations – the Duomo and La Scala opera house – Milan’s Galleria is a destination in its own right during a Milan tour. The Galleria, or to give it its full name – the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – dates back to 1861, when it was first designed. It took 12 years to build and was completed in 1877. It’s a four story double arcade that takes its name from the first King of Italy.

What is the Oldest Mall in the World?

The search for the world's oldest shopping mall leads us through fascinating chapters of commercial architecture history, from ancient Roman markets to medieval European arcades. While several historical structures claim this title, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan stands as one of Europe's oldest and most magnificent shopping arcades, setting a grand example that would influence mall architecture worldwide after its completion in 1877. This architectural marvel represents a pivotal moment in retail history, establishing the blueprint for modern shopping malls with its innovative combination of glass-vaulted arcades, luxury shops, and social spaces.

The Duomo Mall: Architecture and Location

The Galleria, Milan is a visually stunning structure – which is just one of the reasons to visit it. Made up of two glass-vaulted arcades intersecting in an octagon, the arcade has two entrances – both equally grand archways at the Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Scala. The Duomo is Milan’s cathedral – a beautiful gothic building that was 600 years in the making, and La Scala opera house – the spiritual home of opera.

Milan's Premier Shopping Center Experience

The Galleria Vittorio’s grand shops, bars and restaurants are a match for its stunning architecture and together are the answer to the question of ‘where to shop in Milan?’! Here you can browse couture fashion and jewellery, art and literature amongst family owned boutiques and designer stores. Prada, Gucci and Louis Vuitton all have a presence here. It’s also home to some of the oldest bars and restaurants in Milan – including the Biffi Café – which was founded in 1867.

Unique Features of Milan's Famous Shopping Mall

The Galleria’s floors are mosaic marble and in the central mosaic, there is a depiction of the four coats of arms of old kingdoms that make up present day Italy – namely, Milan, Florence, Rome and Turin. In the Turin coat of arms there is a bull and according to tradition, it is good fortune if one places their right heel on the bull’s genitals and turns around three times. It’s a piece of folklore that is clearly adhered to, as there is now a huge hole in the mosaic!